Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, who is popularly known as Sunday Igboho, submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer.
Notwithstanding that the content of the petition was kept secret, it is however believed not to be unconnected with the crusade to realise an independent country for the indigenous Yoruba people of the South-West, Nigeria.
A competent source said the petition which was submitted at the 10 Downing Street seat of the British Prime Minister in London was submitted by Igboho on behalf of leader of the Yoruba Nation Movement and foremost historian, Professor Banji Akintoye.
According to the source, the petition was targeted at securing the support of Starmer and the government of the United Kingdom, Nigeria’s former colonial masters, on the formation of the Yoruba country independent from Nigeria.
Recall that the Department of State Services (DSS) had in the wee hours of July 1, 2021 stormed the Ibadan, Oyo State residence of Igboho, where two persons were shot dead and a number of others were arrested.
Former DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, at a press briefing in Abuja admitted that the secret police carried out the raid after intelligence reports revealed that Igboho stockpiled weapons in his house.
Igboho later escaped to Benin Republic where he was later apprehended and detained. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court of justice however on December 6, 2023, ordered the government of the Republic of Benin to pay Adeyemo 20 million CFA for unlawful detention within three months.
The Yoruba activist has since reunited with his family in Germany and resides outside of Nigeria, except on few occasions like when he came to bury his late mother earlier this year.
Among dignitaries who accompanied Igboho to submit the petition include the Diaspora Youth Leader of the movement, Prophet Ologunoluwa; Vice President of Ifeladun Apapo, Fatai Ogunribido; General Secretary of Yoruba World Media, Alhaja Adeyeye, and a member of Yoruba Nation Movement, Paul Odebiyi.
