We reached out to Kemi Badenoch, but she snubbed us – NIDCOM boos, Abike Dabiri-Erewa

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says Nigeria will not force the newly elected leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, to identify with her Nigerian roots.

Dabiri-Erewa, whose office oversees activities of Nigerians in diaspora, disclosed that her office has reached out to Badenoch a few times and got no response.

“It depends on if she identifies the Nigerianess in her. We have reached out to her once or twice without any response, so we don’t force people to accept to be Nigerian,” Dabiri-Erewa said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Wednesday when asked if the government has identified with Badenoch.

“If you appreciate the Nigerianess in you and you want to work with us, we are open to everybody, but we cannot force you to appreciate the Nigerianess in you. You remember the Miss Universe Nigeria in South Africa.

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“Until she got into a little problem with South Africa she identified with Nigeria, and she identified with Nigeria, came to Nigeria and we hosted her. As long as that blood is in you, you are a Nigerian.

It ultimately comes down to Kemi to make the important choice about how she feels regarding her Nigerian heritage and whether she is interested in collaborating with Nigeria in any significant way. It is essential to understand that we cannot compel anyone to take action or make decisions against their will. Each person has the right to determine their own path and relationship with their identity and community.

In another development, the Conservative Party held an election on Saturday in which they chose Badenoch to be their new leader. This change comes after Rishi Sunak stepped down from his position. His resignation followed the party’s poor performance in the general election that took place in July. The results of that election were disappointing for the Conservatives, leading to significant changes within the party’s leadership structure.