Protest erupts in South Africa as Nigerian Solomon Ogbonna ‘crowned king’

Residents, political parties and traditional leaders in South Africa’s Eastern Cape on Monday staged protests over the alleged coronation of a Nigerian national, Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, as a king.

According to a report by Independent Online (IOL), the outrage followed the circulation of viral videos and images showing Eziko being crowned “Igwe Ndigbo” in a ceremony held in KuGompo City, formerly known as East London.

Protesters, including members of ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), civic group March and March, as well as traditional leaders, took to the streets carrying placards and South African flags, describing the development as unacceptable.

ActionSA Eastern Cape leader, Athol Trollip, was quoted as saying there is no constitutional provision allowing a foreign national to assume kingship within the province.

“There’s no constitutional provision for any foreigner, legal or illegal, to coronate themselves in the Eastern Cape and call for the establishment of a homeland,” he said.

Similarly, PA spokesperson, Steve Motale, condemned the alleged coronation, noting that even Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa had distanced itself from the development.

Traditional leaders also rejected the move, with President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), Kgosi Mathupa Mokoena, stating that kingship must follow established structures.

“If they have kingship in their family, let them be recognised in their own country, not here in South Africa,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Royal House of AbaThembu denied any involvement, dismissing claims that its monarch, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, endorsed or recognised the Nigerian national.

In a statement, royal ambassador, Matthew Mpahlwa, described the viral claims as false and misleading.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) had earlier called for a formal investigation, warning that the development could undermine traditional leadership structures and the rule of law.