Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- December 15, 2024
- 105 views
HOW NIGERIA POLICE OFFICERS STOLE MY BROTHER’S SHOE – KEMI BADENOCH
HOW NIGERIA POLICE OFFICERS STOLE MY BROTHER’S SHOE – KEMI BADENOCH Leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has continued attacking Nigeria, claiming some policemen in the black most populous nation on earth stole her brother’s shoe. Born Kemi Adegoke, the politician, who changed her last name after marrying a Scottish banker, has been saying uncomplimentary things about Nigeria since her emergence as leader of UK’s main opposition party. In an interview with The Free Press, a US media outfit, Badenoch said officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) stole her brother’s watch and shoe. “My experience with the Nigerian police was very negative. However, my experience with the British Police was very positive when I came to the UK.” “The police in Nigeria will rob us. When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well… I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch. “It’s a very poor country. People do all sorts of things. So, giving people a gun is just a licence to intimidate. But that’s not just the problem. “That is not the bar we should use for the British police. When I was burgled, for example, the police were there. They were helpful before they eventually caught the person. This was in 2004… that was 20 years ago.” Meanwhile, Nigerians have continued to dig into her past, including how her father who died in 2021 declared support for self-acclaimed Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho. Also among the things found was how she used her Nigerian heritage to climb the ladder in UK Politics. In a message to her Nigerian supporters while campaigning 14 years ago, Badenoch had said, “I need your help. I’m running for parliament in the 2010 UK general elections. The race is very tight. Last year, a survey was carried out in this constituency by the News of the World and the forecast was that I would win. This year, things are a lot tougher as the party has dropped nationally in the polls. I need your help. “In a recent BBC interview, a caller insulted me because I’m Yoruba. I was very disappointed that a Nigerian woman who claimed to have lived in London for 45 years had issues with me being Yoruba than with my political views and shamefully made her comments on national radio. “We really need to get out of this mindset where we are fighting one another and try and support each other instead. Regardless of party allegiance, a Nigerian in parliament winning purely on merit and not because of her relatives or by buying the election will be amazing.” She lamented that her generation had suffered enough from the mistakes of the past and it was time to retell the story. “So I am asking for your help now to support a Nigerian who is trying to improve our national image and do something great here.”
- Foreign Affairs
- December 15, 2024
- 89 views
HOW KEMI BADENOCH USED NIGERIAN ROOTS TO BECOME BRITISH MP
HOW KEMI BADENOCH USED NIGERIAN ROOTS TO BECOME BRITISH MP British Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, who has been in the eye of the storm over controversial statements about Nigeria, once sought the help of people from the West African country to secure her parliamentary seat, Saturday PUNCH reports.Badenoch (nee Adegoke) had in 2010 sought the support of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom in her bid to win a seat in the British parliament.A campaign document which has been making the rounds on social media showed that during her campaign for Dulwich and West Norwood, she reached out to Nigerians while highlighting her roots.She particularly pledged to uplift the image of the country through her position in the British political system.In a message to her Nigerian supporters, Badenoch said, “I need your help. I’m running for parliament in the 2010 UK general elections. The race is very tight. Last year, a survey was carried out in this constituency by the News of the World and the forecast was that I would win. This year, things are a lot tougher as the party has dropped nationally in the polls. I need your help.“In a recent BBC interview, a caller insulted me because I’m Yoruba. I was very disappointed that a Nigerian woman who claimed to have lived in London for 45 years had issues with me being Yoruba than with my political views and shamefully made her comments on national radio.“We really need to get out of this mindset where we are fighting one another and try and support each other instead. Regardless of party allegiance, a Nigerian in parliament winning purely on merit and not because of her relatives or by buying the election will be amazing.”She lamented that her generation had suffered enough from the mistakes of the past and it was time to retell the story.“So I am asking for your help now to support a Nigerian who is trying to improve our national image and do something great here,” she added.However, the UK-born Badenoch after winning the election, deployed her experiences in Nigeria, as a talking point to rally support for her policies.She has been accused of exploiting her roots for political gains.While in the race to succeed former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022, Badenoch lambasted Nigerian politicians for polluting the environment with degradation.She said, “I grew up in Nigeria, and I saw firsthand what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, when they use public money as their private piggy banks.”“I saw what socialism is for millions. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.”Also, in one of the interviews she had with the British media, she said she did not want the UK to experience what made her flee Nigeria.“This is my country…I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from. I want it to get better and better, not just for me, but for the next generation,” she said.Nigerians in the diaspora, including former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, accused Badenoch of using her Nigerian background when convenient and distancing herself when it suited her political ambitions.Omokri, on his X page, gave instances when the UK disowned Nigerians during their downtimes, but embraced them at their best.“Mrs Badenoch may want to acquaint herself with the case of former British star footballer, John Fashanu. When he was the darling of the football-loving Brits, he was called British, and he did not associate with Nigeria,” he said.Also, Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue, stated that she had the right to express her opinions but could not diminish the…
- Foreign Affairs
- December 14, 2024
- 54 views
I’VE NOTHING IN COMMON WITH THE NORTH, I’M YORUBA – KEMI BADENOCH, UK CONSERVATIVE LEADER
I’VE NOTHING IN COMMON WITH THE NORTH, I’M YORUBA – KEMI BADENOCH, UK CONSERVATIVE LEADER Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, says she identifies more with the Yoruba ethnic group than Nigeria. Badenoch spoke in an interview with the Spectator published on Thursday. The politician’s remarks come amid a simmering identity row, following her previous criticisms of Nigeria’s governance terrain and society, which sparked backlash and reignited debates over her ties to the country. Born Olukemi Adegoke to Nigerian Yoruba parents in the UK, Badenoch’s last name changed after she married a Scottish banker. She returned to Nigeria, where she grew up, and finally departed for the UK when she turned 16. Infamous for her straight-talking style, Badenoch described Nigeria as a socialist nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity. Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticised the former UK equalities minister for her depiction of Nigeria and urged her to change her first name if she no longer wants to identify with her homeland. Speaking to the Spectator, Badenoch said she has nothing in common with people from northern Nigeria — a region Shettima hails from. “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity [Yoruba]. That’s what I really am,” she said. “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where the Islamism is, those were our ethnic enemies and yet you end up being lumped in with those people.” Badenoch said she is proud of her Yoruba ancestry which has given her a “very strong identity”. “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were the warriors,” she added. “They protected the crown and that’s what I see myself as doing. I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.” Badenoch’s spokesperson had clarified that the politician is not interested in laundering Nigeria’s image.
OPPOSITION IN DISARRAY
OPPOSITION IN DISARRAY Last week, five members of the House of Representatives,consisting of four Labour Party (LP) and one Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members renounced their membership of the party that gave them the platform to contest to win their seats and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in one fell swoop. Then this week, two other members of the Labour Party from Plateau State also defected to the APC. The defections which are being contested by the LP, have added to the woes of the opposition parties in Nigeria as it has further reduced their number in the parliament and threatens to stifle their voices. Before last week’s defection, opposition parties had lost many of their leading members, including a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, who defected alongside a former senator and PDP gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State, Obinna Ogba and that of the Labour Party, Edward Nkwegu. Prior to that, the senator representing Imo-east senatorial district, Francis Ezenwa, also moved to the ruling party. Opposition leaders need to look inward — PDP chieftainWhat opposition parties must do presently —Political scientist The opposition also lost former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and former spokesperson to a PDP presidential candidate, Daniel Bwala. The leading opposition parties in Nigeria which include, the PDP; LP; NNPP, with the exception of the SDP, are also having it hard keeping their houses in order with each experiencing different type of crises. With what is happening, observers of political events say the opposition in Nigeria may be recording one of its worst outings with its near absence on the polity and inability to put a united front to hold the government of the day to account. Many posit that the opposition parties are not doing enough despite the general feeling of discontentment. The situation appears worse at the legislature which is supposed to serve to check the excesses of the ruling party. Rather than the opposition moving against government policies, it is members of the ruling party that are seen to play such roles. This is contrary to what is expected in a democracy where the opposition usually keeps the ruling party on its toes with keen monitoring of government policies and activities, clinical observations of events, constructive criticisms and offer of alternative ideas. On inauguration of the current administration, the APC had 63 senators; while PDP had 34; LP, 5; NNPP; 2; SDP, 2 and APGA,1. At the House of Representatives, 181 opposition lawmakers won seats into the 10th House with 117 seats for the PDP; LP, 35; NNPP, 19; APGA,5; SDP, 2; African Democratic Congress, ADC, 2; and Young Progressive Party, YPP, 1. Despite the relatively high number of legislators, the voice of the opposition is hardly felt at the two chambers of the National Assembly. Added to that, most of the opposition parties are embroiled in international crisis. Some have attributed this to lack of ideologies and fear of the ruling party while others are of the opinion that the opposition parties may have been infiltrated by the ruling party and have been deliberately destabilised to ensure they do not form formidable fronts against it. It is also alleged that the ruling party might be behind the crises in the opposition parties in order to keep them divided so as not threaten its chances in 2027. Many recall how the APC kept the ruling party on its toes when it was formed, as its leaders organised protests, scrutinised and criticised almost every action of the government of the day and sustained its campaigns for change until it swept the PDP away from the presidency. CSOs speak Senior Communications Officer at Yiaga Africa, Mr…
HOW TINUBU MUSCLED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, BY SENATE PRESIDENT, AKPABIO
HOW TINUBU MUSCLED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, BY SENATE PRESIDENT, AKPABIO Senate President Godswill Akpabio says President Bola Almed Tinubu muscled the two chambers of National Assembly with the conferment of GCON on them. Akpabio, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Public Lecture and Book Launch organised to mark the birthday of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, mocked Fubara’s handling of the ongoing political crisis in the state.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 13, 2024
- 122 views
I IDENTIFY MORE AS A YORUBA THAN NIGERIAN – KEMI BADENOCH, UK PARTY LEADER
: I IDENTIFY MORE AS A YORUBA THAN A NIGERIAN – KEMI BADENOCH, UK PARTY LEADER I Have Nothing In Common With ‘Boko Haram’ Northern Nigeria – UK Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch Replies Vice-President [i] Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has stated that she identifies more with her Yoruba heritage than with Nigeria as a whole. In an interview with The Spectator, Badenoch expressed that she feels little connection to northern Nigeria, which she described as a “haven for Islamism and Boko Haram.” “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba),” she remarked. “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is,” she added. Her comments have drawn significant backlash from many Nigerians, including high-profile figures. Among her critics is Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima, who recently told Badenoch she could change her name if she wished to disassociate from Nigeria, calling it the “greatest black nation on earth.” Despite the criticism, Badenoch has doubled down on her stance, asserting that her true identity lies in her Yoruba roots. She added, “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were warriors. They protected the crown, and that’s what I see myself as doing.” She further emphasised, “I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.” Meanwhile, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, had accused Kemi of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria. He had made the statement on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja. Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.” He further added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.” The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s significance on the world stage, stating, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
- Foreign Affairs
- December 13, 2024
- 31 views
DONALD TRUMP NAMED TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR
DONALD TRUMP NAMED TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR AGAIN Time Magazine has named Donald Trump as their person of the year for the second time. “For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a- generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America’s role in the world, Donald Trump is TIME’S 2024 Person of the Year,” Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs said in a letter to readers. The Republican president-elect is set to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to commemorate the honour alongside several of his family members. Trump was first named person of the year in 2016 after winning the US presidential election. The magazine’s tradition – which started in 1927 as “Man of the Year” – recognises a person or movement that “for better or for worse… has done the most to influence the events of the year”. Other previous winners include climate change activist Greta Thunberg, former President Barack Obama, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Time Magazine editors ultimately decide who wins the award. The outlet was considering 10 people for the person of the year award, including Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Princess of Wales and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, now a close confidante of Trump set to lead an advisory board called the Department of Government Efficiency. In a description of Trump for the list of finalists, Time said he had won the 2024 election “in a stunning political comeback”. “He has reshaped the American electorate, activating young male voters who propelled him to a decisive victory that saw him win the popular vote for the first time and turn every swing state red,” the outlet said. “His 2024 win is history-making in multiple ways: he will be the oldest President in U.S. history, and he was convicted earlier this year by a New York jury of 34 counts of fraud, making him the first convicted felon to be elected President.” Trump sat for interviews with the magazine in April this year during the campaign season. During the wide-ranging discussions, Trump talked about his plans for a second term, including his goals of reforming the US immigration system and deporting millions of people. Trump complained in 2015 when he was not chosen for the magazine cover during his first run for office, when the award went to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But after he was named person of the year following his election win, he called it a “great honor”. “It means a lot, especially me growing up reading Time magazine. And, you know, it’s a very important magazine,” he said at the time. He has, however, continued to criticise the magazine’s choices since winning, including the selection of Taylor Swift as Time’s person of the year in 2024.
LABOUR PARTY’S WOES CONTINUE AS GUBER CANDIDATE, RUNNING MATE DUMP PARTY
LABOUR PARTY’S WOES CONTINUE AS GUBER CANDIDATE, RUNNING MATE DUMP PARTY The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last election in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri and his running mate, Commodore Benjamin Nathus (retd) have announced their resignations from the party. It was gathered that most of the local government chairmen of the party in Bayelsa joined Eradiri and Nathus to dump the party. Eradiri, who was recently conferred Fellowship by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) sent his resignation letter to the state chairman of the party in Yenagoa. In the letter dated December 8 and titled, Letter of Withdrawal as Labour Party Member, Eradiri said he took the decision to enable him to pursue his political career on a platform ready and prepared to provide the kind of leadership that Bayelsa deserves. Eradiri appreciated members of the party, who believed in his vision for a better Bayelsa and allowed him to be the governorship candidate. “But unfortunately, we couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership”, he said. Eradiri noted that it was a great moment working together politically and traversing the nooks and crannies of the state in the quest for leadership. Eradiri, who came third in the governorship poll, said his decision was supported by his loyalists. Also in his letter of withdrawal, Nathus said the move was borne out of his decision to seek a platform committed to a leadership that would propel Bayelsa towards a brighter and more prosperous future. He said: “I am profoundly grateful for the support and camaraderie of the party members who have shared in our vision for a thriving Bayelsa and graciously provided me the opportunity to serve as a deputy governorship candidate. The journey has been enriched with invaluable experiences and insights”. Nathus said he was honoured to work with dedicated colleagues and engage deeply with communities in the pursuit of transformative governance. Eradiri, who confirmed his resignation from the party, said he was undergoing serious consultations to decide the next political platform that would enable him to provide service to the people. “We are consulting seriously and engaging all stakeholders to know the next political party to join. Our next party of interest will be such that will enable us to provide service to the people and move Bayelsa forward”, he said.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 12, 2024
- 110 views
I STAND BY WHAT I SAID – UK PARTY LEADER, KEMI BADENOCH, TELLS VP SHETTIMA
I STAND BY WHAT I SAID – UK PARTY LEADER, KEMI BADENOCH, TELLS VP SHETTIMA The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has doubled down on her previous remarks about Nigeria, insisting she will not sugarcoat the truth about her homeland. The response comes after Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticized her for describing the country as a “socialist nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.” In a statement issued through her spokesperson, Badenoch said she is not interested in enhancing Nigeria’s global image, asserting that her focus is on addressing issues with candour and realism. “Kemi is not interested in doing Nigeria’s PR; she is the leader of the opposition in the UK. “She tells the truth. She tells it like it is. She’s not going to couch her words, and she stands by what she says,” the spokesperson said. Badenoch, born Olukemi Adegoke, has often spoken about her Nigerian heritage but has also been critical of the country’s leadership and systemic issues. She adopted the surname Badenoch after marrying her Scottish husband, Hamish Badenoch, a banker.
TINUBU’S BETRAYAL OF EL RUFAI, YAHAYA BELLO ERODING SUPPORT BASES IN KADUNA, KOGI STATES
TINUBU’S BETRAYAL OF EL RUFAI, YAHAYA BELLO ERODING SUPPORT BASES IN KADUNA, KOGI STATES As Nigeria braces for the 2027 presidential election, the political landscape under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unraveling in ways that suggest a dramatic decline in support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across key states, including Kogi and Kaduna. Political betrayals, alleged politically motivated prosecutions, worsening economic hardship, and a growing sense of disenchantment among the electorate have created a volatile storm that could cost Tinubu and his allies the presidency. Tinubu’s Political Chess Game According to inside stories, President Tinubu’s strategic politicking reportedly involved leveraging Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to thwart Nasir El-Rufai’s ministerial ambitions. Bello was allegedly asked to influence Senator Sunday Karimi who opposed El-Rufai’s nomination during the Senate’s screening, citing national security concerns. This move deepened cracks in APC’s northern bloc. However, Bello’s ambition to seek APC’s national chairmanship reportedly irked Tinubu, prompting a swift response. Soon after, the EFCC intensified probes into Bello’s financial dealings, signaling political retribution. By the time the dust settled, El-Rufai was sidelined, Bello politically weakened, and Tinubu’s influence strengthened. Critics view it as a masterclass in power play, underscoring Tinubu’s deft control of party politics and his readiness to neutralize allies and rivals alike. The Tumult in Kogi: Persecution or Politics? The EFCC’s trial of Yahaya Bello, the combative and influential outgoing governor of Kogi State, is being widely perceived as a calculated political persecution. Many observers tie the saga to Bello’s refusal to step down for Tinubu during the contentious APC presidential primaries in 2023. Bello’s bold presidential bid showcased his significant political clout and his ambition to emerge as a national leader—a stance that deeply rattled Tinubu’s camp. Even after the primaries, Bello remained defiantly independent, withholding full-fledged support for Tinubu’s campaign in ways that created quiet but palpable tension. When Bello later aimed for the APC National Chairmanship following Tinubu’s inauguration, it was seen as a further challenge to the president’s consolidation of power. This ambition was swiftly quashed, and the subsequent EFCC investigations into Bello’s financial dealings are viewed by his ardent supporters as deliberate retaliation. The timing and intensity of the scrutiny, when juxtaposed with the impunity enjoyed by other APC powerbrokers, lend credibility to claims of selective justice. Bello’s Deep Political Roots Yahaya Bello’s influence extends far beyond Kogi State. His wide-reaching network, cultivated through strategic relationships with youth leaders, Northern elites, and grassroots organizations, makes him a potent force in Nigerian politics. Despite his polarizing image, Bello commands unyielding loyalty in Kogi, where he has constructed a formidable political machine.