The United Kingdom government has officially rejected a petition submitted by Yoruba separatist leader, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, calling for support for the creation of a “Yoruba Nation.” The rejection was disclosed in a statement by Mr. Eche Abu-Obe, spokesman of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday.
Abu-Obe explained that the UK authorities declined to endorse the petition, as they do not interfere in petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of other countries.
“Following media reports on the petition submitted at No. 10 Downing Street by Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to clarify the situation,” Abu-Obe stated. “During the meeting, the High Commissioner noted with concern that the matter had been overblown, describing the media reports as highly misleading.”
According to the statement, the High Commissioner confirmed the delivery of the petition to Downing Street but emphasized that it was not endorsed by any official UK body, including the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.
“It was merely an established practice allowing the delivery of letters and petitions to No. 10,” Abu-Obe quoted the High Commissioner as saying. “The UK government typically does not involve itself in petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country.”
The statement further noted that similar petitions have been rejected by both the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK government in the past.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions on separatist movements in Nigeria, with Igboho being a vocal advocate for the secession of the Yoruba ethnic group from the country. However, the UK’s refusal to endorse his petition represents a setback to his international efforts.
