Wednesday, September 23, 2026

I don’t want Britain to be like ‘poor’ Nigeria where ‘terrible government destroys lives’: Kemi Badenoch

This comes as another episode of Ms Badenock criticising her home country Nigeria, exposing how prolonged misgovernment is ruining the country.

• January 18, 2025
Kemi Badenoch (Credit: Arise TV)
Kemi Badenoch (Credit: Arise TV)

UK Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch says she does not want Britain to be like Nigeria, a poor country where terrible government destroy lives.

In her first speech of the year on Thursday, Ms Badenoch explained her push for “real conservatism” that guarantees a “better, richer and safer” tomorrow for the younger generation of Brits.

“Why this matters so much to me is because I know what it is like to have something and lose it. I don’t want Britain to lose what it has,” said Ms Badenoch.

“I grew up in a poor country, and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer and poorer despite working harder as their money disappeared with inflation,” Ms Badenoch said.

The Tory leader narrated how she migrated to the UK at age 16 with her father’s last £100 and would never want the UK to become a country like Nigeria where terrible governments destroy lives.

“I came back to the UK at 16 with my father’s last £100 and a hope of a better life. So, I’ve lived with the consequences of a terrible government that destroys lives, and I never ever want that to happen here,” Ms Badenoch said.

This comes as another episode of Ms Badenoch criticising her home country Nigeria, exposing how prolonged misgovernment is ruining the country.

Before now, she had berated Nigerian police as “armed robbers” who intimidate the citizens they are employed to protect with their guns.

Angered by Ms Badenoch’s intermittent criticisms of Nigeria at every opportunity, Vice President Kashim Shettima responded, telling her to change her name if she does not want any association with the “greatest black nation on earth, Nigeria.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

John Mahama

World

Mahama holds trade partnerships, economic cooperation meeting with world leaders

Mr Ruto commended Mr Mahama for spearheading the Accra reset agenda.

Trump, Elon Musk

Economy

Court allows Trump admin to exchange land with Musk’s SpaceX in Texas

A U.S. federal court has approved a land exchange between the Fish and Wildlife Service and SpaceX in South Texas.

blackout

Abuja

TCN announces six-hour power outage in parts of Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced a six-hour planned power outage in parts of Abuja on Wednesday.

Benue women

States

Benue ‌stakeholders fine-tune action plan to boost women’s security

Stakeholders have fine-tuned a new Benue ‘Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security’ to enhance the security and well-being of women, youth and children.

Courtroom

States

Carpenter jailed 12 months for stealing phone in Benue

The magistrate also ordered the convict to pay N210,000 compensation to the owner of the phone.

Governor Bassey Otu

Health

Cross River pledges support for healthcare workers

The Cross River government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery and the welfare of medical doctors and other health professionals.