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The Nigerian high commission in South Africa has apologised for the controversy caused by the alleged coronation of an “Igbo king” in the Eastern Cape Province.
Solomon Eziko was reportedly crowned “Igwe” of Kugompo, South London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province.
The celebration triggered major outrage that turned into 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.
One protester said residents were prepared to take up arms if the matter remained unresolved, while others called for the deportation of Nigerians linked to the coronation.
In a statement dated March 26 seen by TheCable, the high commission said the Igbo East London festival was merely a cultural event and not a coronation.
Explaining the context of the event, 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.
On Tuesday, Olajide Ogunmadeji, deputy high commissioner, 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.”
The high commission had on Monday issued an advisory to Nigerians in South Africa, urging them to be alert and limit their movement amid the tension.
The high commission also urged Nigerians to suspend all socio-cultural activities and avoid “making inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions, particularly on social and mainstream media”.
