Boris Johnson, former prime minister of the United Kingdom(UK), has tipped Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, as a futureleader of the country. Johnson spoke on Thursday in Owerri at the ongoing Imo economicsummit. The former PM hailed the relationship between Nigeria andthe UK, saying it is sustained by a vibrant flow of talent moving in bothdirections. “I’m very proud of what we export to Nigeria. We send you pharmaceuticalsand bankers and services of all kinds, automotive parts, all sorts of things,and whisky – huge quantities of whisky,” he said. “And you send us so much in return — oil and gas; Nollywoodmovies; brilliant, brilliant doctors and nurses; technicians; and tech geniusesfrom Nigeria come to the UK, and we’re very grateful and honoured. “And we send you former United Kingdom prime ministers, andyou send us a future United Kingdom prime minister in the form of KemiBadenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days.” Johnson’s comments come as the Tories eye him as one ofBadenoch’s possible successors after polls showed the party almost evenlydivided over the prospect of the British-Nigerian politician leading it intothe next UK general election. Discussions about replacing Badenoch began to grow after theparty’s poll ratings dipped ahead of the local elections held in May. The projections turned out accurate, with the Toriesrecording only 15 percent of the vote in the elections. It was their worstresult since 1995. An October poll revealed small but significant traces ofdiscontent against Badenoch. Other candidates of choice to succeed Badenoch includeRobert Jenrick, right-wing shadow justice secretary and her rival at the 2024leadership election, and James Cleverly, shadow housing secretary.Although Johnson praised Badenoch as a talent from Nigeria,the Tory leader had said she no longer identifies with the country of herancestral roots.
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