On Saturday, Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, criticized Vice President Kashim Shettima over his remarks about the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch.
Shettima had accused Badenoch of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria, after she emerged as the UK’s Conservative Party leader.
Recall that in 2022, Badenoch, then a United Kingdom Prime Minister hopeful, accused Nigerian politicians of using public funds for their private matters.
She claimed that her upbringing in Nigeria was overshadowed by fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.
After she was elected as UK Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerian government, through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), was said to have tried to reach out to Badenoch, but she declined.
Commenting on the reactions, Shaibu said that despite bearing the name Kemi, it does not automatically make Badenoch a Nigerian.
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Posting on X, Shaibu said Arsenal football club’s Gabriel Jesus is not the son of God.
He wrote: “Those criticizing @KemiBadenoch should pause for a moment of introspection.
“The mere fact that her name is Kemi or that she has Yoruba roots does not automatically render her Nigerian.
“After all, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus @gabrieljesus9 is not the son of God. @officialSKSM should find something useful to do with his time.”
