The Presidency has dismissed the claims made by Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected UK Conservative Party leader, about her Nigerian upbringing as a "cock and bull story" Badenoch had accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds for personal use and described her childhood in Nigeria as fraught with fear and insecurity due to widespread corruption.
According to President Bola Tinubu's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, Badenoch's claims were fabricated and not based on facts. Ajayi questioned the validity of Badenoch's story about Nigerian policemen stealing her brother's shoe and watch, suggesting that it was another made-up story.
Ajayi also pointed out inconsistencies in Badenoch's previous claims about her Nigerian upbringing. For instance, Badenoch had claimed that she had to carry a desk and chair to sit in class at the International School Lagos (ISL), which Ajayi disputed as being untrue.
Furthermore, Ajayi criticized Badenoch for trying to gain sympathy by portraying herself as a victim of Nigeria's corrupt system. Ajayi argued that Badenoch's family was upper-middle-class, with her mother being a university professor and her father a successful medical doctor who ran a well-known private hospital.
The Nigerian government had attempted to reach out to Badenoch after her election in November 2024, but she reportedly declined the invitation. This development has sparked a heated debate about Badenoch's credibility and her motives for making such claims about Nigeria.
Badenoch's claims about Nigeria have significant implications for the country's international reputation. If her claims are taken at face value, they could perpetuate negative stereotypes about Nigeria and reinforce the notion that the country is corrupt and dysfunctional.
However, if Badenoch's claims are disputed and discredited, it could damage her credibility and reputation as a politician. It could also raise questions about her motives for making such claims and whether she is using her Nigerian upbringing as a way to gain sympathy and attention.
Social media has played a significant role in shaping public opinion about Badenoch's claims. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their outrage and disappointment at Badenoch's claims, with some accusing her of being a liar and a traitor.
On the other hand, some people have defended Badenoch's right to share her experiences and have argued that her claims should be taken seriously. The debate has been intense, with both sides presenting their arguments and counter-arguments.
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