Nigeria Apologises To South Africans For ‘Igbo King Coronation’

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has addressed the alleged coronation of an “Igbo king” in the Eastern Cape Province.

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Naija News reported that Solomon Eziko was reportedly crowned “Igwe” of Kugompo, South London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province.

The development led to violent protests on Monday, where demonstrators torched vehicles and buildings reportedly owned by foreign nationals.

Angry South Africans marched through parts of the province, demanding immediate government intervention, warning that failure to act could trigger further unrest.

However, speaking via a statement, the High Commission apologised for the controversy surrounding the alleged coronation.

They explained that the Igbo East London festival was merely a cultural event and not a coronation.

The High Commission said cultural expressions among the Igbo people are often misunderstood outside Nigeria, stressing that such gatherings are largely symbolic and not political.

It cited cultural practices such as the new yam festival (Iri Ji), masquerade displays (Mmanwu), traditional marriage rites (Igba Nkwu), and chieftaincy title ceremonies as key aspects of Igbo heritage.

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

Ogunmadeji reiterated that the situation had been misinterpreted, noting that 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.

“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,” he added.