FG Denies UK Endorsement Of Yoruba Nation Petition

The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed reports suggesting that the United Kingdom endorsed a petition submitted by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho. The petition, which called for the UK government to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation, was submitted at 10 Downing Street in London last week.

In response to widespread media reports about the event, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, released a statement on Tuesday, describing the reports as “highly misleading.” According to Abu-Obe, the UK government had no official involvement or endorsement of the petition.

“Following media reports on the petition submitted at No. 10, Downing Street by Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to clarify the situation. During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed concern, indicating that the media reports were greatly exaggerated,” the statement read.

The High Commissioner reportedly confirmed that the submission of the petition was part of an established practice of receiving letters and petitions at 10 Downing Street but stressed that the UK government was not officially associated with the document. “The UK government typically does not involve itself in petitions concerning the internal sovereign matters of another country,” Abu-Obe said, quoting the High Commissioner.

Abu-Obe further clarified that the delivery of the petition to the British Prime Minister’s office was not endorsed by any UK government agency, nor was it handled by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee. The submission was treated as routine, as Downing Street frequently allows the delivery of such letters without any formal commitment.

“Furthermore, the High Commissioner informed that he was aware of the petition’s delivery but added that it was merely part of an established practice of allowing such deliveries. It was not endorsed by any agency of the UK government nor the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee,” the statement reiterated.

The Nigerian government also noted that similar petitions from separatist movements had been submitted in the past but were consistently rejected by the UK government. The British High Commissioner underscored the longstanding and strong bilateral relations between the UK and Nigeria, reassuring the Nigerian government that the UK would continue to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and work collaboratively on issues of mutual interest.

Sunday Igboho, who is known for his activism in support of the Yoruba Nation movement, confirmed through his spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, that the petition had been delivered to the office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Koiki, in a post via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stated that Igboho delivered the petition on behalf of Professor Adebanji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement.

“At exactly 14:00 hrs, Dr. Chief Sunday Igboho delivered a petition to the UK Prime Minister on behalf of Prof Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, and Olayomi Koiki, his spokesman @10DowningStreet,” Koiki wrote.

Efforts to obtain comments directly from Sunday Igboho regarding the petition were unsuccessful. However, a source close to the agitator said that Igboho was expected to release an official statement soon, providing further details about the petition and its intended impact.

This development highlights the ongoing tensions around separatist movements in Nigeria, particularly the Yoruba Nation agitation led by Igboho and Akintoye, who have been advocating for the secession of the Yoruba-speaking southwestern region from Nigeria. While the Nigerian government continues to oppose these movements, Igboho’s submission of the petition to the UK government reflects the international dimension of the campaign. However, the UK’s clear stance on not interfering with Nigeria’s internal affairs sends a strong message regarding the limits of such external actions.