LAGOS, Oct. 16, 2024 — Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Federal Government against attempts to pressure British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery over his recent petition advocating for the recognition of a sovereign Yoruba nation.

Igboho, who submitted a 25-page petition to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, London, on Saturday, is calling for international recognition of a Yoruba nation. In a statement released on Wednesday, Igboho criticized the reported summoning of Montgomery by the Nigerian government, describing it as an unnecessary intimidation tactic.

“The British government colonized Nigeria, and we are within our rights to submit a petition to them regarding our demand for a sovereign Yoruba nation,” Igboho said in the statement made available to The PUNCH. He emphasized that the amalgamation of Nigeria’s Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 was a British decision, one that has led to what he described as a “marriage of inconvenience.”

Igboho’s petition seeks to leverage the UK’s historical role in Nigeria’s formation to support the Yoruba secession movement. He added that his request to the UK government is to have them act as a witness when the issue of Yoruba sovereignty is raised before the United Nations.

The activist reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful and non-violent methods for achieving Yoruba independence, urging his supporters to remain calm and steadfast in the ongoing campaign. He dismissed the Nigerian government’s actions as attempts to stifle the movement, assuring that international support for the cause would continue to grow.

“We remain committed to peaceful, non-violent, and legitimate methods of ensuring the birth of a Yoruba nation,” Igboho said, adding that the Nigerian government’s intimidation tactics would not derail their efforts.

Igboho concluded by stating that should the Nigerian government continue its actions, he would rally even more global support for the Yoruba nation’s cause.