The Federal Government has addressed concerns surrounding Sunday Igboho’s petition to the UK Prime Minister, submitted at 10 Downing Street.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it invited the British High Commissioner in Abuja to clarify the issue, according to a statement by Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner acknowledged the alarm generated by the petition but described press reports as misleading.
He confirmed that he is aware of the delivery of the letter, explaining that it aligns with the established practice of submitting petitions and letters to No. 10.
However, the High Commissioner added that the UK government and the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee did not endorse the petition. He reiterated the UK government’s policy of non-interference in the sovereign affairs of other nations and cited past rejections of similar petitions by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government.
Sunday Igboho, a prominent advocate for the Yoruba Nation, had submitted the petition to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on October 12, urging consideration of the Yoruba Nation’s bid for self-determination.
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria 🇳🇬 (@NigeriaMFA) October 15, 2024