•As Ohanaeze Ndigbo issues disclaimer
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Federal Government has dismissed reports of alleged installation of Igwe Ndigbo by the Igbo Community in East London, Republic of South Africa.
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, in a statement, said no coronation took place and none intended to take place.
Addressing the reported installation of an individual as “lgwe Ndigbo na East London” (King of the Igbo people in East London) by members of the Nigerian community in South Africa, the High Commission also said it took note of the concerns expressed by South African authorities, particularly the esteemed traditional leadership structures, and members of the public regarding this matter.
“The Mission notes with regret that this development has generated understandable concerns among South African authorities, – traditional leaders, and the general public, particularly in the light of the country’s established legal and cultural frameworks governing traditional leadership.
“The High Commission wishes to state, unequivocally, that, contrary to the narrative in the public domain, no coronation took place and none intended.
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria holds the sovereignty, laws, customs, and traditions of the Republic of South Africa and its people in the highest regard. Nigeria deeply values the longstanding bilateral relations between both countries, which are anchored on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to African unity and development. It is in the light of this, that the earlier Live TV interview by our Head of Mission to reiterate the commitment of Nigeria to respecting the host laws and customs, could be understood,” the Nigerian High Commission said.
The mission further explained the essence of cultural events in Nigeria. It said Nigeria, by composition, is made up of diverse ethnic nationalities, the three major of which are Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.
The high commission added that central to Igbo cultural expression were festive celebrations, which were not merely moments of entertainment, but profound expressions of history, spirituality, and social cohesion.
“Among the most prominent is the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji), a thanksgiving event held annually to mark the end of the farming season and the beginning of the harvest.
“Equally significant are masquerade festivals (Mmanwu), where elaborate costumed performances embody ancestral spirits. These masquerades are not only aesthetic spectacles but also serve important spiritual and social functions entertaining, educating and sometimes enforcing community norms.
“Traditional marriage ceremonies (Igba Nkwu) further highlight the richness of Igbo culture. These events are elaborate, involving extended family negotiations, symbolic rites, and joyful festivities that can span several days.
“The title-taking ceremonies, such as the conferment of chieftaincy titles, are also central to Igbo cultural life. They recognize personal achievements, integrity, and service to the community. These events are marked with grandeur, with recipients adorned in traditional regalia, accompanied by cultural displays and communal acknowledgment of their new status.
“In the light of this broader cultural context, it is important to emphasize that the event in East London has no territorial ambition, political authority or agenda within the host communities. Rather, it is a symbolic affirmation of identity—expressions of pride in heritage and a commitment to sustaining cultural practices across borders,” the Nigerian High Commission stated.
While conveying its regrets over the misunderstanding or offence that the said action might have caused, the Mission appealed for understanding, noting that the action was not intended to undermine or disrespect the authority of South African traditional institutions or the laws of the Republic.
The High Commission further called for calm and restraint among all stakeholders and appeals for understanding among the generality of the people.
Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo South Africa, has refuted what it called misleading publications claiming the establishment of a
Sovereign kingdom and the coronation of a king by the Igbo community in East London.
In a disclaimer signed by ABC Okokoh and by L. K. Ashinze, President and General Secretary respectively, the group said it was deeply regrettable that the misinformation has been amplified by certain individuals and groupings for the purpose of gaining undue social, commercial and political traction at the expense of social cohesion and integration.
“We wish to categorically refute these misleading publications and provide an accurate account of the event in question.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo is the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people worldwide with its headquarters in Enugu, Nigeria. It has Diaspora chapters all over the world. Ohaneze Ndigbo South Africa (ONSA) is its South African chapter. It represents, preserves and promotes the culture, heritage and collective interests of Ndigbo in South Africa.
“In Igbo language and among the Igbo people, the word “igwe” literally means “the heaven” or “the sky”. The Igbo people use the word to refer to a person of high standing, noticeable achievement, power, influence, wealth, etcetera. For ONSA, it denotes a cultural leader, an honourable elder, a custodian of Igbo values. Some Igbo dialects use it to refer to their traditional rulers or chiefs. In the Diaspora context, we use it to refer to an Igbo cultural leader, which does not imply the creation of a monarchy or any claim to sovereign territory.
“On the 14th of March 2026, the Igbo community convened in East London for the sole purpose of inauguration of a community leader, a position honorarily addressed as “Igwe.” The primary mandate of this leader is to foster unity and ubuntu among our people, promote cultural cohesion, and facilitate harmonious cross cultural integration with the host communities. His responsibilities include the promotion of our culture, traditions, customs, and heritage—Igbo history, language, food, costume, libation, folklore, music, dance, etcetera, especially in relation to our children and youth. He provides representation for the Igbo community. He mentors Igbo folks on how to live in harmony with the host communities, advises them on the need to respect the laws of the host country, and takes initiatives on how to reintegrate those who have gone astray.
“To all, we wish to categorically refute the misinformation being peddled and spread on both social and mainstream media platforms that the Igbo people established a KINGDOM and crowned a NEW KING for East London,” the Eze Ndigbo South Africa said.
It further said for record purposes, ONSA did not crown a king for East London.
“We did not ESTABLISH A KINGDOM in East London. We created a cultural rallying point solely for the Igbo folks in East London through election and inauguration of someone to lead the Igbo community in the area. The objective is to achieve the goals of community-building already enumerated above. This has been misconstrued intentionally, hyped out of proportion, commercialised through podcasts and politicised by individuals bent on creating disaffection between the Igbo community and the host communities.
“ONSA strives to create CULTURAL FORUMS under which our people come together to attend to the challenges of living far away from home. Everything we do to promote our culture in the Diaspora is merely symbolic.
“It is on record that, using this same CULTURAL FORUM of our people, we took the late King of the AmaXhosa, “King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, and his entourage of South African royal bloods to Nigeria to meet with Igbo monarchs in our efforts to promote cultural exchange, and strengthen social cohesion and community integration between Igbos and South Africans. Yes, we had wonderful working relations with Aah! Zwelonke—the kindhearted great king. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Through this same CULTURAL FORUM of our people, we have been able to build wonderful working relations with King Bhungane 111, the King of the Embo Kingdom and AmaHlubi—an out-and-out great son of Africa.
“ONSA built wonderful working relations with the late King of the AmaZulu, ISilo Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. And after the bowing and Ukutshala of Wena weZulu, the Igbo community sent our leaders and elders from all over South Africa with a cow to the Zulu Palace in Nongoma to pay our last respect to ISilo Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. May his great soul continue to rest in peace.
“The above instances show that the Igbo people in South Africa are hundred percent loyal and subject to the Traditional Institutions and Kingships of South Africa, and not otherwise. The above instances are practical demonstrations that the Igbo community in South Africa know, understand and value culture and tradition and, accordingly, submit themselves to the powers and authorities of South African Traditional Institutions and Kingships.
“For purposes of emphasis and clarity, we wish to state unequivocally that the Igbo community in South Africa has not ESTABLISHED, do not intend to ESTABLISH, and will never ESTABLISH, PARALLEL KINGDOMS or KINGS in South Africa. The Igbo community cannot possess any form of KINGDOM on South African soil.
“We are guests in this great nation. Our ancestral homeland is in Igboland. We hold these truths to be sacred. We hold the sovereignty of the Republic of South Africa and its traditional institutions in the highest regard. In fact, the Igbo community has always, though behind the scene, acted with the utmost reverence and deference to South African kings and traditional institutions.
“All that we have done is to better organise our community in order to have enabling platforms for social cohesion, and progressive channels for integration and cultural exchange with the host communities.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo South Africa respectfully appeals to South Africans and the general public to disregard the current inflammatory misinformation being peddled and spread by those who are bent on promoting
disaffection and division in South Africa as a means of scoring cheap social relevance and political popularity.
These misleading publications are the machinations of those whose only campaign platform is the vilification of foreign nationals and the promotion of xenophobic sentiments.
“The Igbo community in South Africa remains committed to the pursuits of social integration and cohesion, cultural exchange and peaceful coexistence, and a mutually respectful and beneficial relationship, with South African communities as well as all other communities in South Africa,” the statement read.
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