- Self-proclaimed Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, has filed a petition with the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer for support in establishing a Yoruba nation
- The petition was presented on behalf of Professor Adebanji Akintoye, a key leader in the Yoruba Nation movement
- Igboho's advocacy for the Yoruba nation has been ongoing, despite his previous arrest and detention in the Benin Republic
The push for the Yoruba Nation has gained international attention as Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, filed a petition with the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer, requesting his backing for the establishment of an independent Yoruba state.
Olayomi Koiki, his spokesperson, disclosed this in a post on his X account (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday, October 13.
Sunday Igboho seeks support for Yoruba nation
According to Koiki, Igboho presented the petition on behalf of Professor Adebanji Akintoye, who leads the Yoruba Nation movement.
“At exactly 14:00 hrs Dr. Chief Sunday Igboho delivered a petition to the UK Prime Minister on behalf of Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the YORUBA NATION movement, and Olayomi Koiki, his spokesman @10DowningStreet,” Koiki posted.
As key advocates, Akintoye and Sunday Igboho have consistently been at the forefront of the campaign for the Yoruba nation.
Igboho flees Nigeria after DSS raids his Ibadan home
The details of the petition were not disclosed, but reports suggested that the movement is asking for the Prime Minister’s backing to actualise the Yoruba nation.
Recall that in July 2021, Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested and detained in Cotonou, Benin Republic, following a request from the Nigerian government.
Igboho fled Nigeria after his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, was raided by the Department of State Services (DSS) on July 1, 2021.
The DSS claimed that Igboho was storing weapons, leading to him being declared wanted.
Akintoye reveals attempts to coerce Igboho to renounce his activism
He was taken to the Court D’Apeal in Cotonou and imprisoned in the country. He was however released from prison in 2023.
Akintoye previously accused the Nigerian government of attempting to pressure Igboho into stepping back from the agitations.
The elderly activist revealed that while Igboho was imprisoned in the Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), a former Chief of Army Staff, had used his diplomatic influence to pass a message to Igboho, enticing him with billions of naira if he would abandon his aspirations for the Yoruba nation.
Buratai allegedly offers Igboho billions to renounce Yoruba nation
He noted that Igboho, however, chose not to sign the paper, which was later retrieved by Buratai.
“Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, came to him in the prison, promising him billions of naira if he would just sign a paper that Buratai brought.
“That he (Igboho) should say he had renounced the Yoruba Nation struggle, that he didn’t want the Yoruba Nation struggle anymore, that he had opted out of it,” Akintoye stated.
Police parade Yoruba nation agitators in Osun
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Osun State police paraded three suspected Yoruba nation agitators following their arrest for allegedly advocating a secession agenda.
The suspects were charged to a Federal High Court after a thorough investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.