Diplomatic apology issued as Nigerian High Commission condemns controversial royal title

The Nigerian Embassy in South Africa has formally condemned the alleged coronation of a Nigerian citizen as a king in the Eastern Cape.

Nigerian officials clarify that the ceremony, which resulted in Solomon Ogbonna Eziko calling himself the "Igwe of Kugompo City," was never intended to be an installation of a monarch.

Instead, they maintain the event was meant to be a celebration of the Igbo Association.

The fallout from the ceremony turned violent yesterday as protests led by civic organisations and political parties ended in chaos. During the unrest, several cars were damaged and a building was partially burnt. Reports also emerged of a protester being allegedly stabbed by a foreign national.

Today, the tension moved to the streets of Pretoria as anti-illegal migrant groups gathered outside the Nigerian Embassy. Protesters demanded answers regarding how the coronation of a Nigerian king was allowed to take place on South African soil. While specific questions about the event's authorisation remain, the embassy has been swift to distance itself from the move, stating that even in Nigeria, a coronation does not occur in such a manner.

Olajide Ogunmadeji, the Deputy to the Nigerian High Commissioner, met with the protesting groups to offer a sincere apology for the actions of Solomon Eziko. Ogunmadeji stated that the situation has been misinterpreted, but acknowledged the gravity of the offence.

"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 further emphasised that the embassy does not support any illegal actions taken by Nigerians living in the country and reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a friend of South Africa. The Deputy High Commissioner has since signed the memorandum presented by the protesters and committed to responding within the set timeframe.