Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, known as Sunday Igboho, has urged Nigeria’s Federal Government not to pressure British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery following his recent submission of a petition advocating for a Yoruba nation.
Igboho, who sent the 25-page petition to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Saturday, stated that the request for British recognition of a sovereign Yoruba nation aligns with historical and constitutional rights.
In a statement made available on Wednesday, Igboho criticised Nigeria’s reported summoning of Montgomery as an intimidation tactic which aim is to discourage the secession movement.
He stated that Nigeria’s union, established in 1914 under British rule, is now due for reassessment, calling it a “marriage of inconvenience.”
Igboho said he hopes the UK’s involvement could eventually lead to international acknowledgement of the Yoruba nation’s pursuit.
The statement read, “The British government colonised Nigeria, and we are well within our rights to submit a petition to them regarding our demand for a sovereign Yoruba nation. Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, from the British government, but the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 was a decision made by the British.”
“We remain committed to peaceful, non-violent, and legitimate methods of ensuring the birth of a Yoruba nation. Our people should stay calm and resolute, confident in our collective struggle for emancipation, so that we can harness our great potential in a vibrant Yoruba nation once it is created out of the current Nigerian contraption.
“We will continue to seek international backing and bring our agenda before the global community,” the statement concluded.
He assured his supporters that the campaign would remain non-violent and that he would continue to seek global support.
