Boris Johnson hails Kemi Badenoch as a promising leader, praising her UK political rise at the Imo economic summit in Nigeria
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch as a “promising future leader” during remarks at the Imo economic summit in Nigeria on Thursday.
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Speaking to delegates, Johnson highlighted the dynamic exchange of talent between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
“We send you pharmaceuticals and bankers and services of all kinds, automotive parts, all sorts of things, and whisky — huge quantities of whisky. And you send us so much in return — oil and gas; Nollywood movies; brilliant, brilliant doctors and nurses; technicians; and tech geniuses from Nigeria come to the UK,” he said.
Johnson, 59, added a personal touch with a nod to political talent. “And we send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, and you send us a future United Kingdom prime minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days,” he remarked.
The comments come as the Conservative Party considers possible successors to Badenoch, following local election setbacks and polling that revealed lukewarm support for her leadership.
In May, the Tories recorded only 15 percent of the vote, their worst performance since 1995. An October poll indicated minor but notable discontent within the party ranks.
Other contenders for the leadership include Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary and Badenoch’s rival in the 2024 leadership election, and James Cleverly, shadow housing secretary.
Despite her Nigerian heritage, Badenoch has stated she no longer identifies with the country of her ancestral roots.
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Political observers note that Johnson’s praise could bolster Badenoch’s profile internationally, reinforcing her reputation as a significant talent within the Conservative Party.
