The leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, Kemi Badenoch, has addressed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s comment about her.

Badenoch, who was accused of denigrating Nigeria, received series of backlash from Nigerians.

Shettima, while speaking about the issue, said that despite her statements about her country of origin, Nigerians are proud of her.

He went on to suggest that she could remove the 'Kemi' from her name if she was not proud of her Nigerian heritage.

"Kemi is a Yoruba name commonly found in the South-West Nigeria.

“She is entitled to her own opinions. She has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria,” Shettima said, drawing applause from the audience.

In response to Shettima’s statement, Kemi clarified that she is not a PR representative for Nigeria but the opposition leader of the Conservative Party in the UK.

While speaking to the press on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Kemi Badenoch stated that she will not sugarcoat her words and will continue to speak honestly.

She said, “I tell the truth. I tell it like it is. I am not going to couch my words. I am the leader of the opposition, and I am very proud of my leadership of the opposition in this country. I am not the PR for Nigeria.”