In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Amb Eche Abu-Obe, described media reports surrounding the petition as “highly misleading.” Abu-Obe emphasized that the UK government had no involvement or endorsement of the document, which was part of an established practice of receiving letters and petitions at the Prime Minister’s office.
Following a meeting between the Nigerian government and the British High Commissioner in Abuja, the High Commissioner expressed concern over how the media had amplified the situation. He confirmed that while the UK acknowledges the delivery of such petitions, it does not endorse them and remains uninvolved in petitions concerning the internal affairs of sovereign nations.
Abu-Obe added that similar petitions had been rejected in the past and reaffirmed the strength of UK-Nigeria bilateral relations. Sunday’s petition was submitted on behalf of Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, with Igboho’s spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, confirming the submission.
Efforts to reach Igboho for comment were unsuccessful, though a source indicated that he would issue a statement later in the day.
