The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has tendered an apology over the installation of one Solomon Ezike as Igwe Ndigbo on March 14, 2026, in KuGumbo, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, which sparked violent protests across the country on Monday.
Olajide Ogunmadeji, the Deputy Acting High Commissioner, made this known while addressing aggrieved protesters from the Progressive Forces of South Africa (PFSA) and other groups who gathered in front of the commission on Tuesday to submit a memorandum of grievances to Nigerian diplomatic officials.
He stressed that both South Africa and Nigeria maintain a cordial relationship, noting that the West African country doesn’t support the events that led to the protests while apologising to South Africa’s traditional institutions.
“Nigeria is a friend of South Africa. We are interested in the progress of South Africa. But what happened recently, Nigeria does not support irresponsibility. The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the High Commission here, does not support any irresponsibility.
“So please, I am on behalf of the high commissioner, on behalf of the Embassy, and on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; I am tendering our apology to the traditional institutions of South Africa,” Mr Ogunmadeji said.
Speaking further, Mr Ogunmadeji maintained that the ceremony was a mere celebration of cultural activities rather than the inauguration of a traditional stool. He reiterated that it is impossible for Mr Ezike to become king, citing that he was unsure if the necessary legal steps were followed.
“I’m not sure those steps (legal) are followed, therefore he cannot become a king. He is just there to celebrate cultural activities. To celebrate themselves as cultural things, not as a traditional institution. And that’s why I said I offer our (Nigeria) apology to the traditional institutions in South Africa.
“We say sorry for whatever has happened. The embassy will never in any way encourage undermining the authority of their traditional institutions,” the acting deputy high commissioner stated.
Meanwhile, members of the PFSA rejected the apology and vowed to return if their grievances, which included the legal status of Nigerians living in South Africa, were not addressed.
Protesters in South Africa had set ablaze vans, trucks, and other properties belonging to foreign nationals over the installation of Mr Ezike as Igwe Ndigbo.
The protest, led by the March and March civil organisation and supported by traditional leaders and political parties—ActionSA and Patriotic Alliance—described the installation of the Nigerian king in the area as unlawful and disrespectful.
