The federal government on Tuesday said the petition by Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo calling for the UK to recognise the ‘Yoruba Nation’ agitation was not endorsed by the country’s government.
Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
“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 over blown, indicating that the media reports were highly misleading.
“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,” Mr Abu-Obe said.
He quoted the high commissioner to have said that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.
He further 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 Nigeria.
(NAN)
