Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

FG debunks reports of UK endorsing Yoruba Nation's petition

POSTED ON October 16, 2024 •   POLITICS      BY Benedicta Bassey
President Bola Tinubu/ Photo credit: Premiumtimes

The Federal Government on Wednesday dismissed reports claiming that the United Kingdom endorsed a petition submitted by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The content of the petition called on the UK government to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation, submitted at 10, Downing Street, London, last week.

In a statement by 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.

The statement read: “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 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, had 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 was abortive as at press time.

READ ALSO
APC Set to Appoint New National Chairman at Thursday's NEC Meeting
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 23, 2025 0

A new National Chairman for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be appointed on Thursday...

READ ALSO
Baba-Ahmed Pledges Unity in Labour Party Ahead of 2027 Elections
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 21, 2025 0

The former vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, has committed to...

READ ALSO
Atiku's Departure Sparks Fresh Hope for PDP Aspirants
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 21, 2025 0

As the race for the 2027 presidential ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) intensifie...

READ ALSO
NNPP, APC Hold Primaries for Jigawa Rep By-Election
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 20, 2025 0

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have held their primary...

READ ALSO
Governor Otti Warns Against Economic Strain from Proposed 31 New States
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, expressed that the proposal for creating an additional 31 states, as...

READ ALSO
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Set to Resume Duties Following Court Ruling
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 19, 2025 0

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has announced that she will return to...

READ ALSO
Atiku's Move, 'No Threat to Our Dominance - APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 16, 2025 0

Following the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the People’s Democratic...

READ ALSO
LASIEC Awards Certificates to Elected Chairmen and Councillors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 16, 2025 0

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has awarded certificates of return to the...

OUR CHANNELS:

Federal High Court Discharges Female Drug Offender on Compassionate Grounds
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday issued a caution and discharged...


APC Set to Appoint New National Chairman at Thursday's NEC Meeting
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

A new National Chairman for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be appointed on Thursday...


Military Jet Crash at Dhaka School Claims 31 Lives, Sparks Nationwide Outrage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Grief and anger swept across Bangladesh following the tragic crash of a mi...


UK Sentenced Traffic Robber to 24 Years for Killing Footballer
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced 27-year-old Oguzcan Dereli to 24 years in prison for the...


Nigerian Lawmakers Demand Reversal of U.S. Visa Policy Changes Amid Concerns Over Economic Impact
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the U.S. government to reinstate the five-year multipl...


CBN Maintain Interest Rate at 27.5%
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has decided to keep the country's Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27...


PSC Seeks NDLEA Support for Drug Integrity Tests in Police Recruitment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 22, 2025 0

To enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s police recruitment, the Police Service Commission has re...


USCIS Unveils New Immigration Fee Schedule Effective July 22, 2025
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revealed an updated schedule of i...


Economic Reforms Slash Nigeria's Debt Servicing from 97% to 50%- Oloyede
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, revealed th...


Lagos Passenger Killed in Motorpark Fight
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 24, 2025 0

Violence broke out in the Alaba Rago area of Iba, Lagos State due to a clash between road transport...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu