“My Main Identity Is British”- Kemi Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has responded to controversy surrounding her comments about her relationship with her Nigerian heritage, explaining her statement that she “no longer identifies as Nigerian.”

During an appearance on the Rosebud podcast hosted by former MP and TV presenter Gyles Brandreth, Badenoch described herself as “Nigerian through ancestry” while adding that “by identity, I’m not really.”

In a subsequent GB News interview, Badenoch clarified her position while affirming her Nigerian heritage.

Related: Kemi Badenoch Becomes First Black Woman To Lead UK’s Conservative Party

She emphasized that her primary identification is with Britain.

“It wasn’t quite what I said. But it is true. My main identity is British. That is how I see myself,” she stated.

“Nigeria is a nationality, not an ethnicity. There’s no such language as Nigerian, there are many different ethnic groups there.

“If you come to this country, you need to be very focused on integrating. If you’re a politician, you need to be 100 per cent focused on British issues.”