Nigeria’s Kemi Badenoch Becomes Conservative New Leader In United Kingdom
A Nigerian-British, Olukemi Adegoke Badenoch has emerged victorious in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader in the United Kingdom.
The 44-year-old North West Essex MP was declared winner of the months-long contest after beating Robert Jenrick.
Badenoch received 53,806 votes to Mr Jenrick’s 41,388.
Speaking after her win, Badenoch thanked the other candidates, saying the party had come through the campaign “more united”.
The new leader went on to say the party’s first duty as opposition was to hold Labour to account and also to prepare for government by the time of the next election.
She describes being appointed leader as an “enormous honour” and pledges to hold the Labour government to account.
“Our party is critical to the success of our country,” Badenoch said.
“But to be heard, we have to be honest, honest about the fact that we made mistakes, honest about the fact that we let standards slip.
“The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party and our country the new start that they deserve.
“It is time to get down to business. It is time to renew.”
Olukemi Adegoke was born on 2 January 1980 in Wimbledon, London, She is one of three children born to Nigerian-Yoruba parents.
Her father, Femi Adegoke, was a GP and her mother, Feyi Adegoke, was a professor of Psychology.
Having a brother and a sister, Badenoch spent her childhood living in Lagos, Nigeria and in the United States, where her mother lectured.
