Kemi Badenoch, leader of Britain’s Conservative Party and its first Black female head, has spoken candidly about enduring racist hostility since her election, calling the backlash both surprising and distressing.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Badenoch, who served as a Culture Secretary, expressed astonishment at the intensity of the abuse she has faced. This surge in personal attacks emerged despite her former praise of Britain as “the best place in the world to be black.”

“There’s a certain cadre of people who clearly can’t cope with the fact that I won this and I’m doing it. The level of personal attacks from anonymous people, it’s hysterical. … But online as well. People used to talk about Trump derangement syndrome. I think there’s a Kemi derangement syndrome: ‘How could she possibly have done this?’.”

She added that growing ethno-nationalist sentiment on social media has fueled prejudice against her, touching on her background and perceived legitimacy.

Born in Wimbledon, raised in Nigeria, and returning to the UK at age 16, Badenoch has previously resisted identity-based explanations for her success.

“I always try to think of every possible explanation before I go to race and racism. I think that is a healthy way to run a society. … My view is that there are people out there who will throw whatever kind of mud at you and hope that it sticks.”

Facing internal party speculation of a leadership challenge from Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, Badenoch dismissed the rumors:

“I think it’s wishful thinking. There will always be people who are sore losers… When I hear those things, I can tell those people are not focused on the country at all. … The lives of people in this country aren’t a game.”

The interview comes at a pivotal moment for her leadership as she prepares for her first party conference speech, with the Conservatives polling at just 17%.

Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has accused a close associate of betraying him during the July 2021 invasion of his Ibadan residence by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, in Ondo State over the weekend, Igboho claimed the betrayal directly led to what he described as an attempt on his life.

“When my house was invaded by DSS operatives, they wanted to kill me but failed. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you, my fathers, saved me,” he recounted.

According to him, DSS operatives gained access to his home through his personal assistant, who was allegedly forced to reveal his room. He further alleged that a trusted friend tipped off the operatives about his cat.

“When I opened the door, they saw my cat on the bed. One of my friends I entrusted with secrets told them not to let the cat go. They killed the cat and wrapped it with clothes like a corpse,” Igboho said.

The 2021 raid, which left two people dead and property destroyed, sparked widespread condemnation from prominent Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and socio-political groups who accused the government of abusing state power.

Recounting his ordeal, Igboho—later arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while attempting to flee—appealed to the monarch to intervene on his behalf.

“Tinubu is your son, you can convince him to free me… I would have entered the bush and faced them [insecurity],” he pleaded.

In his response, Oba Ogunoye described Igboho as a symbol of hope for many Yoruba youths and urged him to pursue his agitation within the bounds of the law.

The United States government has suspended the issuance of work visas for truck drivers from Nigeria and several other countries, citing safety and security risks.

The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday, comes after a review flagged concerns about road safety, regulatory standards, and verification of driver records in affected countries.

Officials said the temporary measure is aimed at protecting U.S. highways and logistics operations, noting that the suspension will remain in place until new safety protocols are agreed upon with the governments of the listed countries.

“The safety of American road users and the integrity of our transportation system remain top priorities,” the department said in a statement.

The suspension is expected to affect thousands of foreign drivers seeking employment in the U.S. haulage and logistics sector, an industry already grappling with labour shortages.

In Nigeria, transport unions have voiced concern over the development, warning that it could worsen unemployment among skilled drivers. They urged the federal government to engage U.S. authorities and address the highlighted safety issues.

The U.S. has not disclosed the full list of countries affected by the suspension, but officials confirmed that Nigeria is among those impacted.

The review process, according to the Department of Homeland Security, will include closer collaboration with international regulators to strengthen driver vetting and ensure compliance with global safety standards.