WATCH: Another Nigerian King was silently installed in Port Elizabeth

Johannesburg, 3 April 2026

A video circulating on social media on Friday shows what appears to be the installation of a “Nigerian King” in the Eastern Cape city, echoing similar controversial events that recently rocked KuGompo (East London).

The footage, captioned “WATCH: Another Nigerian King was silently installed in Port Elizabeth,” depicts a gathering with elements of Igbo cultural attire and traditional rites. Unlike the high-profile coronation of Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as “Igwe Ndigbo Na East London” in mid-March — which sparked violent protests, vehicle torchings, and widespread outrage — this latest event appears to have been conducted more discreetly, with limited immediate public backlash.

John Vorster warned ALL OF Africa will END up in South Africa, watch the video:

Because the whole of Africa will end up in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/sr6GWNE5Rf

— Kekius Africanus (@safercapetown) April 3, 2026

Echoes of East London Controversy

The Port Elizabeth development comes just weeks after the KuGompo incident, where Eziko’s crowning triggered protests from local residents, traditional leaders, and political figures. Amakhosi and groups like the Amathole House of Traditional Leaders condemned the move as an undermining of South Africa’s recognised traditional authorities and national sovereignty. The Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, along with the AbaThembu Royal Council, distanced themselves and described the event as unacceptable.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) slammed the KuGompo ceremony as an “unlawful impersonation,” while Cabinet reportedly called it a “kindergarten gimmick.” Protests escalated, with reports of cars being set alight and calls for the deportation of those involved. The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria issued an apology, clarifying that the event was intended as a cultural celebration rather than a formal royal installation on South African soil.

Social media reactions to the new Port Elizabeth video have been swift. Some users expressed frustration, questioning why similar installations in Cape Town and other areas had not drawn comparable attention. One post asked pointedly: “Where’s the outrage about Nigerian kings of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth?” while others voiced anger over perceived challenges to local Xhosa and broader South African traditional structures.

WATCH: Another Nigerian King was silently installed in Port Elizabeth. pic.twitter.com/3cBb1TFX5g

— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) April 3, 2026

Broader Questions on Traditional Leadership and Immigration

South Africa’s traditional leadership framework is governed by law and recognises specific kingdoms, such as the AmaXhosa, AbaThembu, and AmaMpondo in the Eastern Cape. Critics argue that self-styled foreign “kings” or “igwes” operating outside this system risk creating parallel authorities, potentially straining social cohesion in provinces with significant migrant communities.

Supporters of the cultural events counter that they are internal community affairs — ways for diaspora groups, particularly the Igbo, to maintain cultural identity, resolve disputes, and celebrate heritage without claiming authority over South African land or indigenous systems. The Nigerian Embassy has previously emphasised that such titles do not equate to sovereign kingship recognised by either government.

However, local traditional leaders remain firm. Prince Xhanti Sigcawu and others have called for government intervention, including potential deportations, to protect the integrity of South Africa’s customary institutions. ActionSA and other voices have labelled the practice unconstitutional when it mimics formal traditional leadership.

What Happens Next?

As of Friday afternoon, no official statement has emerged from CoGTA or the Eastern Cape provincial government specifically addressing the Port Elizabeth ceremony. Police have not reported any immediate unrest linked to the video, contrasting sharply with the chaos in KuGompo that saw vehicles torched and tensions boil over.

The episode highlights ongoing debates around immigration, cultural rights, and the limits of traditional authority in a diverse, constitutional democracy. With Nigeria-South Africa relations already sensitive due to past xenophobic incidents and reciprocal diplomatic frictions, authorities on both sides will likely monitor developments closely to prevent further escalation.

For now, the “silent” installation in Gqeberha serves as a reminder that beneath the surface of daily life in South African cities, parallel cultural worlds continue to operate — sometimes colliding with local expectations in very public ways.

*This story is developing. Watch the circulating video for the latest visuals from the reported installation.*