Former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani has criticised a racist remark directed at UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, saying the episode carries a warning for Nigerians who distance themselves from their origins in pursuit of Western acceptance.
Sani made the comments in a post on his verified X account after a senior figure in the UK Reform Party used a racial slur against Badenoch, who is of Nigerian heritage, while challenging her claim to British identity.
Quick facts
- Kemi Badenoch leads the UK Conservative Party and has Nigerian roots.
- A Reform Party chieftain made a racially offensive comment questioning her British identity.
- Shehu Sani said racism is not affected by accent, citizenship or political rank.
- The UK Reform Party had not issued an official response when the report was filed.
“No matter how you try to deny being Nigerian, the Caucasian will always remind you of your roots,” Sani wrote.
He said Badenoch’s experience demonstrated that racist treatment does not depend on a person’s accent, passport or standing in politics.
The Reform Party had yet to make a formal statement on the comment by the time of publication.
