Yoruba Nation: UK government did not endorse Igboho’s Sunday petition – Nigerian government

The Federal Government on Tuesday declared that the petition by Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, asking the United Kingdom to consider the agitation of the Yoruba nation, has not been endorsed by the United Kingdom government.

It would be recalled that Igboho on Saturday presented a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation.

The movement seeks the immediate intervention of the UK Prime Minister and his government in their agitation to create a country that will be predominantly owned by the indigenous Yoruba people.

A statement issued by Amb Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that following media reports on the petition, it invited the British High Commissioner in Abuja to shed light on the issue.

“During the meeting, the High Commissioner noted with concern that the matter had been exaggerated, indicating that media reports were highly misleading.

“Furthermore, the High Commissioner advised that he was aware of the delivery of the letter, but added that it was merely established practice to allow the delivery of letters and petitions to No. 10.

“It has not been endorsed by any UK government agency nor by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

“The UK government does not normally concern itself with petitions relating to the sovereign affairs of another country,” Abu-Obe said.

Abu-Obe cited that the High Commissioner reported that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.

He further agreed to continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as necessary, while reiterating the importance of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.