British High Commissioner Addresses Yoruba Nation Petition
STATEMENT FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER REGARDING PRESS REPORTS ON THE YORUBA NATION PETITION TO THE UK GOVERNMENT
Richard Montgomery, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Abuja, has acknowledged the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 15, 2024, concerning media coverage of a Yoruba Nation petition submitted to No. 10 Downing Street by Nigerian national Sunday Adeyemo. The High Commissioner expressed his satisfaction in discussing this matter with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs on October 14, 2024, and recognized the Minister’s concerns regarding misleading press reports.
Montgomery assured the Honourable Minister that the petition had not received any endorsement from official UK government bodies or the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee. He clarified that the submission of such petitions is a standard practice allowing individuals to deliver letters to No. 10.
The High Commissioner emphasized that petitions related to the sovereign affairs of another country are not within the purview of the UK government. He reiterated that this issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian government and legislature, noting that similar petitions have previously been rejected by both the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK government.
He committed to maintaining communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as needed.
Montgomery also reaffirmed the significance of the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, highlighting ongoing collaboration on various issues with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He specifically noted new agreements aimed at enhancing trade, investment, security, defense, and home affairs, and expressed his highest regards for the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria.
