Former presidential candidate Kingsley Moghalu says debate over Kemi Badenoch’s heritage is irrelevant to Nigeria’s progress.
Former presidential candidate and economist, Kingsley Moghalu, has urged Nigerian leaders to shift their focus to more pressing issues, such as economic development, rather than debating the identity of Kemi Badenoch.
Badenoch, a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, has recently come under fire for comments that appeared to distance herself from Nigeria, the country of her birth.
On Sunday, Moghalu took to social media to share his thoughts on the matter.
In his post, Moghalu bluntly stated that the ongoing debate about Badenoch’s roots holds no value for Nigeria.
“Even if she were to become the UK Prime Minister tomorrow morning, it would have absolutely ZERO implications (or benefits even) for Nigeria and Nigerians,” he wrote.
Moghalu’s comments followed a wave of controversy surrounding Badenoch’s remarks about her Nigerian heritage.
Many Nigerians were upset after Badenoch was quoted in an interview distancing herself from the country.
She said that while she was born in Nigeria, she did not feel particularly connected to the country, a statement that angered many.
The issue became even more heated after Vice President Kashim Shettima spoke out against Badenoch’s comments.
Shettima accused her of disrespecting her heritage and failing to acknowledge her Nigerian roots.
In response to the criticism, Badenoch defended herself, insisting that she did not mean to disrespect her birthplace but simply felt a stronger connection to the UK.
Moghalu, however, sees little value in the public debate.
He believes that Nigeria’s problems are far greater and more urgent than the question of Badenoch’s personal identity.
He argued that Nigerian leaders should focus on fixing the country’s economic issues instead of engaging in distractions like this one.
“So why all the fuss?” he asked in his social media post.
“Nigerian leaders and Nigerians should fix Nigeria’s problems. ‘Claiming’ Kemi or her ‘denying’ Nigeria won’t solve them,” Moghalu concluded.
Badenoch’s rise in British politics has been meteoric.
She currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the UK, and her political influence continues to grow.
Despite this, many Nigerians view her success with mixed emotions.
Some take pride in her achievements, seeing her as a symbol of success for Nigerians abroad.
Others, however, feel that she is turning her back on the country of her birth, especially after her comments about her identity.
Badenoch’s comments have sparked a wider discussion about national identity, loyalty, and the complexities of being from one country but living in another.
For some Nigerians, the debate is a reminder of how difficult it can be to navigate multiple identities in a world where political and cultural boundaries often seem more important than personal experiences.
However, Moghalu’s comments suggest that the debate is a distraction from more important matters.
He pointed out that the real focus should be on tackling Nigeria’s economic and political challenges.
These challenges include widespread poverty, high unemployment rates, and the ongoing struggle to improve education and healthcare.
