The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed remarks made by Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, about her alleged experiences in Nigeria, describing them as a “c0.ck and bull story.”
Badenoch, in a recent interview, recounted an incident where her brother was allegedly robbed by Nigerian police officers. She also previously spoke about her challenging upbringing in Nigeria, claiming she carried her own desk and chair to school and lacked access to clean water.
Reacting to these comments, President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, accused Badenoch of fabricating her accounts for political gain.
Ajayi shared his thoughts via his X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“You are Kemi Badenoch, an opposition leader and a future Prime Minister of the UK. Instead of addressing questions about improving UK police accountability, you told an inane story about Nigerian policemen stealing your brother’s shoe.”
He continued:
“Her claims don’t add up. Her story about carrying a desk to school or lacking clean water is complete baloney. Kemi grew up in an upper-middle-class family—her mother was a university professor, and her father ran a well-known private hospital with wealthy clients.”
The Presidency’s reaction has sparked debate online, with many questioning the authenticity of Badenoch’s claims and others defending her right to share her experiences.
