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Sunday Igboho and Bola Tinubu
The Federal Government has dismissed reports claiming that the United Kingdom endorsed a petition submitted by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The petition, which called on the UK government to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation, was submitted at 10, Downing Street, London, last week.
In a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb Eche Abu-Obe, described media reports surrounding the petition as “highly misleading.”
Abu-Obe clarified that the UK had no official involvement or endorsement of the document.
He explained that “Following media reports on the petition submitted at No. 10, Downing Street by Mr Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to shed light on the issue.
“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 confirmed that the delivery of the petition was part of an established practice of receiving letters and petitions at 10, Downing Street.
He emphasised that the petition had no backing from any UK government agency or the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.
“Furthermore, the High Commissioner informed that he was aware of the letter being delivered but added that it was merely an established practice of allowing 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 UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country,” Abu-Obe added, quoting the High Commissioner.
The diplomat further noted that similar petitions had been rejected by the UK government in the past.
The British High Commissioner reaffirmed the importance of the strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Nigeria and assured the Nigerian government that the country would continue to work closely with Nigeria on matters of mutual interest.
Sunday Igboho, in a post by his spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, confirmed that the petition was submitted to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The petition was filed by Igboho on behalf of Prof Adebanji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement.
Koiki wrote: “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.”
All efforts to get reactions from Igboho failed but a source told The PUNCH on Tuesday that the Yoruba Nation agitator would issue a statement today.
