British High Commissioner: Igboho’s Petition at 10 Downing of Little Significance

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has described the letter submitted by Mr. Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba Nation self-determination activist, at 10 Downing Street, the United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Office as an effort with little significance.

He noted that the UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country, adding that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.

The High Commissioner gave this explanation during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who invited him to give clarification on the letter submitted to UK Prime Minister by Igboho, demanding the actualisation of the Yoruba Nation.

A statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, gave the clarification.

“Following media reports on the petition submitted at 10 Downing Street by Mr. Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, The British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to shed light on the issue. During the parley, the High Commissioner noted the concern that the matter had generated, indicating that the press reports were highly misleading.

“Furthermore, the High Commissioner informed 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 or the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

“The High Commissioner noted that the UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country. He informed that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.

“In this regard, He agreed to continue liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as needed, while reiterating the importance of the bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”