By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The UK Government has reportedly rejected a petition by activist Sunday Igboho seeking support for the ‘Yoruba Nation’ agitation. Eche Abu-Obe, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the UK does not involve itself in the sovereign affairs of other countries.
During a meeting following media coverage of Igboho’s petition delivered to No. 10 Downing Street, the British High Commissioner in Abuja described the situation as “overblown” and clarified that the petition was not endorsed by any UK government agency or the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.
Abu-Obe noted that similar petitions have been dismissed in the past, emphasizing that “the UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country.” He assured ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to maintain strong bilateral relations between the UK and Nigeria.