IN SUPPORT OF KEMI by Femi Idowu 

By Femi Idowu

May I start this piece by warmly congratulating the new leader of opposition in the British parliament, Kemi Badenoch.

My starting point is not from a Nigerian point of view and not from a sentimental dimension of my name rhyming with hers. She also shares that first name with my youngest sister, a PhD holder. There’s no doubt that there’s something special about both names, Femi and Kemi- that however is not the essence of this write up.

I see Kemi Badenoch as a very outstanding, outspoken, audacious young person, who has done so well for herself in British politics, and that speaks volumes.

She has attained the enviable position she’s occupying now through sheer hard work and glaring exceptional intellectual prowess.

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She is in the age bracket of my children, who to the glory of God are also pulling their weight in their different callings here in the UK and in the US.

Having lived in United Kingdom, myself for well over 20 years, I am trying to go easy on some Nigerians, who have decided to attack this young, promising asset.

I will however unequivocally condemn the harsh and hasty remarks of some of them. The remarks have been ill advised and quite uncharitable.

Some of the statements that have been made really lacked depth and reflect a lack of understanding of the new generation that Kemi belongs to.

My understanding is that people who have had to grow through more than one cultural dimension, tend to have a different take in their  analysis of issues and reaction to situations- the hybrid nature of their socialisation process usually has a profound impact.

They cannot also be compared with Nigerian politicians who breeze in and out of developed countries, (wasting Nigeria’s resources) with ‘their eyes closed’, seemingly oblivious of current trends in development efforts.

I am therefore sure Kemi will not waste her time in responding to the ‘nattering nabobs of negativity’ who have needlessly decided to impugn her integrity.

I will advise these Nigerian politicians, who have taken it upon themselves to disparage Kemi Badenoch, to read up more on her, so they can have a more robust understanding of who she is and of course what to expect from her going forward.

Maybe before they wrote whatever nonsense they published, they should have at least waited for the first Prime Minister’s question time to see what Kemi reduced Kier Starmer to.

Kemi is a no nonsense, upfront, bold politician of a unique genre.

A newspaper report indicates that the Conservative party have taken a two point lead over Labour in the latest poll since Kemi Badenoch became Leader of the Opposition.

‘The latest poll shows an opinion reversal on the General Election result, when Labour won a landslide of a 174-seat majority on 34% of the vote’.

I am really expecting a lot more from the Conservative party (which happens to be the political party of my choice) under Kemi’s leadership.

I am not going to give too much space and attention to the Nigerian politicians who have been doing what is referred to as ‘SHOBOLATION’(this word could be difficult for many to comprehend, but it really refers to people intruding into affairs that should not be their priority)

One of them is a rough rider in Nigeria’s political space. His name is Femi FaniKayode (it’s a shame he shares the same first name with me)

In response to some people who have sought my views on what he wrote, this is my response:

‘I really don’t give any attention to whatever FFK writes or says for so many reasons.

With regards to Kemi Badenoch, I will support her to make a success of her assignment.

She reserves the right to share some of her unpleasant experiences in Nigeria in her younger days.

I believe she is trying hard to distance herself from the unashamedly corrupt Nigerian politicians, while they are trying hard to get her in their pocket.

Politicians in Nigeria must not however be allowed to bully her into their kind of odious politics.’

I have however since read an enlightening write up by one Dr. Olusola Oni – the Leader of the Yoruba Party in the UK. He is based in Leicester. It’s my first time of hearing of a Yoruba Party in the UK and I am interested in knowing more about the group.

Dr. Oni’s article was captioned ‘FaniKayode’s Fake Outrage about Kemi Badenoch’

Here’s my response to the brilliant write up:

‘This is an excellent write up, controversial in some ways,  but absolutely worth reading and ruminating on.

I am in the process of putting my thoughts together on Kemi Badenoch, before I start writing about her.

She is an outstanding young lady. There’s no question about that!

One thing I won’t do is however waste my time responding to the rubbish that Femi FaniKayode wrote.

To me he is just an attention seeker, who like his father, that I listened to as a very young boy, specialise in substance induced outbursts.

Both Femi FaniKayode and his father, in no way represent the Yoruba race. They have been absolutely unreliable in the way they manoeuvred their way through Nigeria’s political terrain. They are very selfish and self centred.’

I am writing in support of Kemi Badenoch simply out of personal conviction.

The additional reason for my writing in support of Kemi, is to stoutly resist the intrusion of some of these jobless Nigerian politicians into the affairs of a rising star.

Most Nigerian politicians are just about their selfish interests. They don’t mind maiming anyone to have their way.

Well meaning Nigerians should speak up more against the antics of our politicians, as the Country’s fortunes continue to dwindle due to their ineptitude.

Kemi Badenoch, from all I am seeing and reading, is very much up to the task in the assignment she has been given in the British political arena. I am very confident as well that she will distinguish herself on the international scene.

Femi Idowu is a freelance journalist based in London.

He was one time Bureau Chief, NTA News, Ibadan Bureau.

Well meaning Nigerians should speak up more about the antics of our politicians, as the Country’s fortunes continue to dwindle due to their ineptitude.