Nigerian High Commission apologises to Oscar Mabuyane over king row

A viral ceremony sparked protests and vehicle fires, forcing Nigeria to backpedal hard on claims of crowning a king inside South Africa.

Nigerian Apology to the Eastern Cape

• The High Commission expressed regret to Premier Oscar Mabuyane over the KuGompo event.
• Solomon Ogbonna Eziko got installed as Igwe Ndigbo Na East London in the disputed gathering.
• Officials insisted the occasion stayed purely cultural with zero kingdom ambitions.
• They promised respect for local traditional bodies and urged calm to stop more unrest.

Row Over Cultural Event

• Videos triggered sharp backlash from parties and community figures.
• Demonstrators torched cars while opposing the reported coronation.
• Nigeria stressed the brotherly Ubuntu ties and denied any disrespect.
• The letter asked Mabuyane to help ease tensions across the province.