Popular peacebuilding organisation based in Nigeria, the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), has formally petitioned the United Kingdom Parliament and the Conservative Party over remarks made by British Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, Rt. Hon. Kemi Badenoch.
The group described her recent remarks about Nigeria as false, misleading, and diplomatically damaging.
In the petition authored by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro blasted Kemi for claiming that the Nigerian Constitution does not permit women to pass on their citizenship to their kids.
Denouncing the statement, the organisation clarified that it is completely false, stressing that constitutional provisions guarantee both Nigerian men and women equal rights to confer citizenship on their children.
PeacePro noted that Kemi is fond of making negative and false statements about Nigeria despite being of Nigerian descent.
According to him, her latest public rhetoric is just one of her many untrue statements that totally undermine Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
The group declared that her negative comments are very worrying, given her role as a senior government official and a public figure with heritage ties to Nigeria.
“There is no legal basis for such a claim. The Nigerian Constitution does not discriminate between men and women on matters of nationality.
It is unacceptable for someone in her position to continue making factually incorrect statements about a sovereign country, especially one with such longstanding and strategic ties to the UK,” Abdulrazaq said.
In the petition, PeacePro urged the UK Parliament and the Conservative Party to conduct an internal review of Kemi Badenoch’s public statements regarding Nigeria and request a formal apology and clarification from the Minister over the false claim.
Abdulrazaq Hamzat concluded by saying that formal guidelines should be established to ensure that UK ministers and public officials only issue fact-based and respectful statements when referencing foreign countries.
“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share deep historical, economic, and cultural ties. Those ties must be treated with respect and care, not weakened by misinformation or dismissive rhetoric.
Peace is rooted in truth. Diplomacy thrives on mutual respect. Falsehoods do not serve peace. Disrespect does not serve diplomacy,” he added.
