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UK Never Endorsed Yoruba Nation Petition – FG

Published

2 months ago

Oct 16, 2024.

The Federal Government has refuted claims that the United Kingdom endorsed a petition submitted by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.

The petition, aimed at urging the UK government to support the creation of a Yoruba nation, was delivered to 10 Downing Street, London, last week.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, described the media reports circulating about the petition as “highly misleading.” He clarified that the UK had no involvement or official endorsement of the petition.

Abu-Obe explained, “Following media reports on the petition submitted at No. 10, Downing Street by Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited for clarification. During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed concern over the exaggeration of the matter and confirmed that the media reports were inaccurate.”

UK Endorsed Yoruba Nation

He further noted that while the delivery of petitions to Downing Street is a standard practice, this particular petition had no backing from any UK government body or the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

“The UK government typically does not engage in petitions concerning the internal affairs of another sovereign country,” Abu-Obe added.

The British High Commissioner also reassured the Nigerian government of the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, confirming continued cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sunday Igboho’s spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, confirmed the submission of the petition, which was delivered on behalf of Prof Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Nation movement.

Efforts to reach Igboho for comments were unsuccessful, but sources indicated he would release a statement later today.