Kemi Badenoch of Nigerian heritage and former British Equalities Minister has launched a bid to become the next United Kingdom’s Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.
The declaration of the British PM job by Ms Badenoch, who was born Olukemi Olufunto in Wimbledon, London to parents of Nigerian origin, has been attracting public endorsements.
She joined the race after scandal-dogged Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Conservative leader, announced his resignation on Saturday.
Badenoch was among the about 60 members of the British Parliament and aides who resigned their positions last week after Johnson apologised for appointing a senior colleague facing sexual assault claims to a prominent role.
After announcing his resignation, Boris said he would stay in office until his successor was appointed.
Badenoch announced her bid for the UK’s PM job in an article published in The Times newspaper.
The 42-year-old Badenoch said, “I’m putting myself forward in this leadership election because I want to tell the truth. It’s the truth that will set us free.
“Without change the Conservative Party, Britain and the western world will continue to drift” and rivals will “outpace us economically and outmanoeuvre us internationally,” she said.
Since declaring her interest, it was learnt that she has been receiving a number of public endorsements, including by some members of the British parliament such as Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough; Michael Gove, MP for Surrey Heath; and Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington.
Badenoch was an Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education, a former Vice-Chair of the Conservative Party and a former member of the Justice Select Committee.
Prior to her election as a Member of Parliament, she was a Conservative member of the London Assembly, acting as the GLA Conservative’s spokesperson for the economy.
Recall that the Conservative party announced that a new UK PM would take over from Johnson on September 5.
Currently, 11 hopefuls are vying for the job.