A British-Nigerian woman, Kemi Badenoch, has become the first Black woman to lead a major political party in the UK following her election as the new leader of the Conservative Party, News About Nigeria reports.
Badenoch won the election after defeating her contender in the poll, Robert Jenrick, in the final round of voting.
According to the results tally, Badenoch secured 53,806 votes to defeat Mr. Jenrick, who scored 41,388 votes.
The newly elected Conservative leader, who was raised in Nigeria, takes over from Rishi Sunak, the former UK Prime Minister and leader of the party.
Speaking after her election, Badenoch expressed her honor at being elected to such a capacity.
She also revealed her intention to have a new shadow cabinet in place before Tuesday, when the first shadow cabinet meeting under her leadership is scheduled to take place.
She said, “It is the most enormous honour to be elected to this role, to lead the party that I love – the party that has given me so much. I hope that I will be able to repay that debt.
“Our first responsibility is to hold this Labour government to account. Our second is no less important: to prepare over the course of the next few years for government.”
She further emphasized that the party needs clear policies and a solid plan for implementing them, stating, “That huge job begins today,” Badenoch noted.
The newly elected Conservative leader also thanked her predecessor, Rishi Sunak, for his commitment to the party, wishing him the very best for the future and his career.
