Political activist Aisha Yesufu has called on prominent British-Nigerian politician Kemi Badenoch to “move on” from her ongoing criticisms of Nigeria.
Yesufu’s comments came after Badenoch, the Leader of the UK Conservative Party, made controversial remarks about her experiences with the Nigerian Police Force.
In a recent interview, Badenoch was asked whether she trusted the British police.
“I do. My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive,” Badenoch responded.
Badenoch went on to describe an incident where she claimed police officers in Nigeria had stolen her brother’s shoes and watch, but she did not provide further details about the event.
The comments have sparked a backlash, with some Nigerians, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, accusing Badenoch of denigrating her homeland.
Aisha Yesufu, a vocal critic of Nigerian leaders and public figures, reposted a short clip of Badenoch’s interview on X (formerly Twitter).
In her post, Yesufu blasted Badenoch for making her personal experience with the Nigerian police relevant to a question about British law enforcement.
“Kemi Badenoch should grow up and move on!” Yesufu wrote. “Context is everything! She was asked if she trusts the British police. How is what happened with Nigerian police a reason for her to know if she will trust her British police or not?”
Yesufu also questioned why Badenoch brought up Nigeria’s poverty in her response.
“What also brought in our poverty?” she added, referring to Badenoch’s comments that linked her negative experience with the Nigerian police to the country’s broader struggles.
“Yesufu’s words resonated with many Nigerians who felt that Badenoch was using her personal experience with the Nigerian police as an excuse to generalize about the entire country.
“Yesufu’s main point was that the question about the British police did not require a comparison to Nigeria,” said a Nigerian political analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“She felt that by bringing up Nigeria’s poverty, Badenoch was unfairly associating the UK with the challenges of Nigeria, a narrative that many in Nigeria find offensive.”
In her post, Yesufu urged Badenoch to take responsibility for her own experiences and not use them to stereotype an entire nation.
“So because the bar is low in Nigeria, it doesn’t mean that she should lower the bar for their police there!” Yesufu exclaimed.
She went on to accuse Badenoch of adopting a “poverty mentality,” implying that Badenoch’s past experiences should not justify lowering standards in the UK.
“Yesufu is suggesting that Badenoch should not allow her experiences in Nigeria to shape how she views British institutions, especially when it comes to law enforcement,” the analyst said.
Badenoch’s comments are not the first time she has stirred controversy about Nigeria.
In the past, she has made headlines for discussing her views on the state of the Nigerian economy, corruption, and leadership.
However, her recent remarks about the police have reignited tensions between her and some members of the Nigerian public, especially those who see her as too critical of the country’s challenges.
Yesufu did not stop with her criticism of Badenoch.
She also took the opportunity to call out the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), urging them to improve their performance.
“@PoliceNG, you see your life? Always disgracing us up and down!” Yesufu tweeted, referring to the Nigeria Police Force.
Her comment highlights ongoing frustration with the state of policing in Nigeria, where corruption and incompetence have long been a problem.
