Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala has dismissed concerns over recent remarks by UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, stating that her comments against Nigeria will not impact the country’s reputation or its ability to attract investors.
Bwala addressed the issue during a televised interview, responding to Badenoch’s claims at an event organized by Onward, a British think tank, where she criticized Nigeria’s governance and warned against Britain following a similar path.
The Nigerian-born politician, delivering her first speech of the year, described Nigeria as a nation where governance has failed. However, Bwala suggested that Badenoch’s rhetoric was a political strategy to win favor within her party.
“Kemi belongs to the right base in the United Kingdom, which thrives on populist rhetoric globally. She’s leveraging this by denigrating and demarketing Nigeria to gain acceptance among her party’s right-wing supporters,” Bwala said.
He drew a contrast with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, of Indian descent, who refrains from using India’s challenges as a political tool. “Unlike Sunak, who avoids weaponizing India’s issues for political gains, Kemi often portrays Nigeria in a negative light,” Bwala added.
Addressing fears that her statements might affect Nigeria’s global standing or foreign investment prospects, Bwala downplayed such concerns.
“I don’t think her comments will have any effect because she’s not in power. International relationships and collaborations are primarily conducted between governments, not political parties,” he explained.
He also noted that Badenoch’s Nigerian heritage would prompt potential investors to evaluate the credibility and motivation behind her remarks, ensuring they do not hinder Nigeria’s economic partnerships.