Femi Fani-Kayode, former Nigerian Minister of Aviation, has lashed out at Kemi Badenoch, the British Conservative Party leader, accusing her of hypocrisy regarding her views on Nigeria’s police force.
Badenoch, born in Nigeria but now a British citizen, has been outspoken in her criticism of the country’s police, even accusing officers back home of stealing from her family. In a recent interview with a British journalist, she alleged that Nigerian police officers had stolen her brother’s wristwatch and shoes.
Fani-Kayode wasted no time in responding, questioning why Badenoch continues to trust the police in the UK but criticises Nigerian officers. He took to social media on Thursday, accusing the British politician of holding double standards when it comes to security issues.
“She claims to trust British police, but she has nothing good to say about Nigerian officers,” Fani-Kayode wrote. “She should be careful when making accusations about our police. If she’s so confident in the British system, why doesn’t she bring British officers to protect her mother in Lagos?”
The former aviation minister further pointed out that the UK police, despite their image as a reputable force, have been involved in cases of institutional racism, corruption, and abuse of power. “The British police are far from perfect,” he stated. “Thousands of black people, including Nigerians, have been wronged, tortured, or even killed by them. Yet Badenoch ignores these issues.”
Fani-Kayode’s statement appears to be in response to a broader disagreement between Badenoch and Nigerian leaders. Recently, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, had asked Badenoch to reconsider her stance and “remove Kemi from her name” if she was not proud of her Nigerian roots. This latest clash reflects the tense relationship between Badenoch and her home country.
The former minister also expressed frustration with Badenoch’s support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Palestine. He criticised her for siding with Israel in a conflict that has seen devastating losses in Gaza. “She supports Israel while Palestinians are suffering,” he remarked, condemning her apparent disregard for the plight of Muslims in the region.
Fani-Kayode also took aim at Badenoch’s claims about her childhood in Nigeria. Badenoch had previously described the area where she grew up as lacking in basic amenities, alleging that “lizards ran out of the taps” where she lived. Fani-Kayode dismissed these claims as “the lie of the century,” pointing out that she was raised in Victoria Island, one of Lagos’ most affluent neighbourhoods.
The ongoing back-and-forth highlights the deep divisions between Badenoch’s public persona in Britain and her relationship with Nigeria. While she has often faced criticism for her comments on Nigeria’s social and political systems, her critics argue that she is more than willing to accept Nigerian support when it suits her, particularly when it comes to personal security.
As the debate rages on, it is clear that the political friction between Badenoch and Nigerian officials will continue to fuel public discussion. For many Nigerians, Fani-Kayode’s remarks represent a direct challenge to Badenoch’s stance, questioning her commitment to her Nigerian heritage.
