By Akinwale Kasali
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, have lashed Kemi Badenoch, United Kingdom Conservative Party Leader, for her recent lies against Nigeria.
Badenoch had, in a recent interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, asserted that she cannot pass on her Nigerian citizenship to her children because of her gender.
She suggested that it is easier for Nigerians to acquire British citizenship than for foreigners to become Nigerians.
Reacting to the claim Dabiri-Erewa, speaking as a guest on Channels Television Saturday, described Badenoch remarks as misleading.
The NIDCOM boss argued that Badenoch’s claim was against Section 25(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which says a person born outside Nigeria qualifies for Citizenship if either Parent is a Nigerian citizen.
She added that defaming one’s country publicly must be challenged, and while Nigeria supports its diasporans, no one can be forced to love their homeland.
Dabiri-Erewa said: “But that is not true. Don’t divulge false information.
“You go on international media and spin a lie, that is a lie, that is not even true. And I’m sure people have responded.
“It’s not true, so why tell us something that is not true?
“Do you know the number of Nigerians we have in the UK in the political space who are doing very well?
“We don’t have to focus on one person, but when you denigrate your country, we reply to you.
“It’s not about me, or the President, or you, it’s about Nigeria. You can’t lie about your country, and then we keep quiet.
“There are many who are doing very well politically. So ours is to continue to work with every Nigerian in the diaspora, but you can’t force anybody.”
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