The Federal Government has clarified that the petition submitted by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, to the United Kingdom government, calling for consideration of the Yoruba nation, was not endorsed by the UK government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, issued a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, addressing recent media reports regarding the petition, which he described as “highly misleading.”
Ambassador Abu-Obe explained that following the media coverage of Igboho’s petition submitted at No. 10 Downing Street, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to provide clarification on the matter. “During the meeting, the High Commissioner noted with concern that the matter was overblown, indicating that the media reports were highly misleading,” he said.
The High Commissioner reportedly informed Nigerian officials that while he was aware of the petition being delivered, it was merely an “established practice” to allow the delivery of letters and petitions to No. 10. “It was not endorsed by any agency of the UK government nor the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee,” the Ambassador added. He emphasized that the UK government typically does not involve itself in petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country.
The spokesperson further quoted the High Commissioner, who pointed out that similar petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK government in the past. This stance, according to the UK representative, has been consistent in handling such matters.
Igboho’s petition, which has garnered significant media attention, was reportedly submitted by him on behalf of Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement. Olayomi Koiki, Igboho’s spokesman, had earlier posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the petition was delivered to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 14:00 hrs on Sunday. Koiki confirmed that Igboho had acted on behalf of Akintoye in submitting the petition, which seeks the consideration of a Yoruba nation.
However, the UK government’s official response has made it clear that no formal recognition or endorsement was given to the petition, and no steps would be taken in support of the Yoruba Nation’s cause by British authorities. This clarification comes amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s internal issues related to ethnic groups seeking autonomy.
The Federal Government and the British High Commissioner agreed to continue their collaboration and communication as necessary, while also reiterating the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
