3 weeks ago
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British-Nigerian Member of Parliament, Kemi Badenoch, will learn her fate on Saturday as the months-long contest to lead the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom closed on Thursday evening.
Badenoch, the MP for North West Essex, was engaged in a run-off battle against her fierce rival, MP for Newark, Robert Jenrick.
Both candidates were seeking the votes of tens of thousands of Tory members to replace Rishi Sunak, who lost an election as the British Prime Minister on July 5.
The race, which lasted more than three months, began with six candidates and included a series of votes before narrowing it down to the final two for the broader party membership.
The 44-year-old lawmaker has campaigned on unifying the party, emphasising that Tories have suffered due to their divisions.
While it is said that Badenoch garnered support from key members who influenced her campaign in the closing moments of the voting, her victory will only be confirmed upon announcement on Saturday.
Despite using Jenrick’s record against her during their campaign, Badenoch thanked all party members for their engagement as the polls closed on Thursday.
In a post on X, she stated that the Conservative Party remained a family to her rather than just a membership organisation.
“Polls have closed for the Conservative Party leadership contest,” she said. “I want to thank all our party members who have taken the time to listen to pitches from all of the candidates, turned up to our hustings, and hosted us in your associations and homes.”
“Thank you to all who voted, especially those who supported me and my campaign for Renewal 2023,” Badenoch added.
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