Protests Erupt in South Africa Over Coronation of Nigerian Man as King

Residents in South Africa have taken to the streets to protest following reports that a Nigerian man, Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, was crowned as a king.

According to Independent Online, the protests were triggered by videos and images showing Eziko being crowned “Igwe Ndigbo” during a ceremony held in KuGompo City.

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

The Eastern Cape leader of ActionSA, Athol Trollip, argued that there is no constitutional provision allowing a foreign national to assume kingship in 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 situation.

Traditional leaders also rejected the move. The President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), Kgosi Mathupa Mokoena, emphasized that kingship must follow recognized 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, rejecting claims that its monarch, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, had endorsed or recognized 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 situation could undermine traditional leadership structures and the rule of law.

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