By Mogaji Wole Arisekola
In the grand theatre of British politics, few stories are as puzzling as that of Kemi Badenoch — a woman seemingly on a fast track to becoming Prime Minister, yet visibly burdened by a conflicted sense of identity. Her Achilles heel? A deep discomfort with her Nigerian heritage.
Rather than embrace her roots with pride, Kemi appears determined to shed them entirely. Her strategy? Launching sharp criticisms at Nigeria in a bid to prove she is “British enough.” But that path is not only misguided — it is self-defeating.
Kemi could have taken a page from the political playbook of Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister of Indian ancestry. Sunak didn’t attack India to curry favour with British voters. On the contrary, he won hearts by standing firm in his identity — British, yes, but never denying his heritage. That confidence resonated with a modern electorate that values authenticity.
You see, confidence in one’s identity is a superpower. I, for instance, never apologise for being Nigerian. I don’t enter rooms seeking validation from others because of my nationality. I assess if the people in the room are worthy of my trust, of my time, of doing business with me. If my Nigerian background is an issue for anyone — that’s not my problem. It’s theirs.
I remember a relationship I once had with a woman who said she loved me, but didn’t like Nigerians. I didn’t flinch. I walked away. Because if you reject where I come from, you’re rejecting who I am. I won’t make excuses for being Nigerian — I introduce myself as Mogaji Wole Arisekola: writer, entrepreneur, patriot. Full stop.
This is where Kemi gets it wrong. What began as a political ploy now resembles a psychological struggle. Her refusal to embrace her Nigerian identity has morphed into a spectacle of public self-denial. It’s not just a miscalculation — it’s a crisis.
Kemi’s dream of leading the UK will remain a mirage unless she embraces her dual identity with the grace and strength it deserves. She needs to reframe her story: not as someone ashamed of her past, but as a woman who straddles two worlds — one who can bridge the UK and Nigeria, and build partnerships that matter.
Post-colonial Britain is trying to heal old wounds. Through development projects and foreign aid, the UK has shown it wants to make amends. What greater symbol of that reconciliation could there be than a Prime Minister with roots in one of its former colonies?
But that narrative requires a candidate confident enough to own it. Kemi hasn’t shown that courage.
As for me, my Nigerian identity is not a hindrance — it’s an edge. I’ve built my success in the world of Journalism because I understand the terrain others fear. While some see the headlines about Nigeria and cringe, I see opportunities. I turn negative press into strategic value.
Kemi should try that. But first, she must stop running from her reflection.
— Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
