NIGERIA’S Ambassador Accuses South African Presidency Of Excluding Him From Historic Livestream

A diplomatic controversy has emerged between Nigeria and South Africa after Nigeria’s newly appointed Ambassador accused the South African Presidency of deliberately excluding his introduction and speech from a historic diplomatic ceremony in Pretoria.

In a statement attributed to former Nigerian Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), the Ambassador said he had presented his letters of credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Friday, alongside ambassadors representing 14 other countries.

The occasion marked the first posting of a substantive Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa in four years, making the ceremony particularly significant for diplomatic relations between the two African nations.

However, the Ambassador expressed disappointment over what he described as the selective exclusion of Nigeria from the official livestream conducted by the South African Presidency.

According to his account, all 15 ambassadors were formally introduced and given an opportunity to deliver speeches, but Nigeria’s introduction, delegation and address were allegedly omitted from the broadcast.

He claimed that the livestream resumed only after his speech had concluded, leaving Nigeria as the only country excluded from the televised proceedings.

The Ambassador said he personally raised the matter with President Ramaphosa during the subsequent photo session. He praised the South African leader for immediately summoning the relevant officials and instructing them to address the situation.

However, he maintained that the intervention came too late to reverse Nigeria’s exclusion from the broadcast.

The diplomat also revealed that he declined an interview offered by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC News), saying he was dissatisfied with the treatment of the Nigerian delegation. He instead directed the broadcaster to obtain his remarks from the speech that had allegedly been excluded.

Fortunately, he said, two Nigerian television stations were present and recorded his entire address, which would subsequently be released to the Nigerian public.

Despite the incident, the Ambassador emphasised that he maintains deep respect and affection for South Africa and its people. However, he insisted that Nigeria and its citizens must be treated with dignity and respect.

He thanked President Ramaphosa for his intervention and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries.

The South African Presidency’s response to the allegations had not been included in the statement.

The incident has raised questions about diplomatic protocol, equal treatment and the importance of transparency during official international engagements.

Source;https://x.com/realFFK/status/2121224129659502840

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