Former Nigerian presidential aide Reno Omokri has taken to Twitter to criticize Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Conservative Party leader, for making what he describes as disparaging comments about Nigeria.
Omokri’s tweet sparked debate over identity politics, race relations, and international diplomacy.
In the tweet, Omokri accused Badenoch of using “unintelligent political” strategies by distancing herself from her Nigerian heritage.
He argued that her remarks, allegedly critical of Nigerian institutions like the police, were unnecessary given her secure position as Conservative leader.
“You are the head of a party in opposition. You should be looking for votes. Politics is about addition, not subtraction,” Omokri said, emphasizing the importance of appealing to the significant Black and African diaspora in the UK.
He highlighted that nearly 300,000 Nigerians live in the UK, with the figure rising to nearly a million when including other sub-Saharan Africans, many of whom are voters.
Omokri suggested that Badenoch’s comments risk alienating these communities while questioning the strategy of appealing solely to White British voters.
He also drew parallels to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s nuanced navigation of racial and cultural identity in British politics.
Furthermore, Omokri disputed Badenoch’s alleged claims about the Nigerian police, accusing her of generalizing and painting an unfairly negative picture.
“Yes, there are rotten eggs in the Nigerian Police, just as there are in the various British Police departments. But you cannot just generalize and tar everybody with the same brush,” he wrote.
Omokri’s criticism extended to what he called Badenoch’s “self-loathing” attitude, pointing out that she retains a detectable Nigerian accent and questioning why she would try to disassociate herself from her roots.
He warned that such remarks might damage her credibility, stating, “If I were a White Briton, my thinking would be: If she can throw her own kith and kin under the bus, imagine what she can do to us.”
The former aide also touched on the broader implications of Badenoch’s statements, asserting that her rhetoric could perpetuate negative stereotypes about Nigerians and Africans in general.
He stressed the mutual economic importance of Nigeria and the UK, citing Nigeria’s recent GDP growth of 3.46% compared to the UK’s 0.1%.
Omokri’s tweet has reignited conversations about identity, race, and diplomacy in political discourse, particularly for leaders of immigrant backgrounds.
As Badenoch continues to shape her political image, this controversy underscores the delicate balance of representing both her heritage and her adopted country.
The controversy also raises questions about the responsibilities of diaspora leaders in global politics and whether distancing oneself from one’s roots strengthens or weakens political positioning.
For Badenoch, navigating these tensions will be critical as she seeks broader support for the Conservative Party.