Nigeria apologises to South Africa over 'coronation' of traditional ruler

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has apologised for the crisis and confusion caused by the coronation of an Igbo king in the Cape Province.

The Deputy High Commissioner, Olajide Ogunmadeji, issued the apology on Tuesday while speaking to a group of protesting South Africans.

He told the protesters that the situation had been misinterpreted, as the coronation was only ceremonial rather than the installation of a traditional authority that defied the existing system.

“They are just there to celebrate their cultural activity. It is not a political institution or a traditional institution,” he said.

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“I offer our apology to the traditional institutions in South Africa. We say sorry for what has happened. The embassy would never encourage the undermining of the authority or institutions; we will not do this.”

The coronation of a Nigerian, Solomon Eziko, as the “Igwe” of Kugompo, South London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province, triggered major outrage that turned into a protest on Monday.

The protest was led by ActionSA, a South African political party. The party argued that the coronation violated the constitutional order.

Local media reported on Monday that during the protest, several cars belonging to foreign nationals were damaged, and a building was burnt.

The protest continued on Tuesday, and this time, protesters marched to the Nigerian embassy, where the deputy high commissioner addressed them.

Mr Ogunmadeji, while speaking to the group of protesters, said the “Commission does not encourage undermining the South African traditional system.”

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He declared that the embassy has no interest or intention to destabilise the country.

The High Commission also issued an advisory to Nigerians residing in the country, urging them to be cautious and limit their movement amid the tension.

It urged the nationals to maintain a low profile and suspend all socio-cultural activities.

They are also to avoid “making inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions, particularly on social and mainstream media.”