Nigeria High Commission replies South Africa Presidency on Fani-Kayode’s mistreatment

The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has rejected the South African presidency’s explanation of the controversy surrounding the alleged mistreatment of Nigeria’s High Commissioner, Femi Fani-Kayode, insisting that the diplomat was treated with “contempt and disdain”.

The Nigerian mission’s response on Saturday followed an exchange between both countries over Fani-Kayode’s allegation that the South African presidency refused to broadcast his speech during a ceremony where he presented his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, had dismissed the allegation, describing the incident as a minor operational issue and accusing Fani-Kayode of misrepresenting what happened.

However, responding in a post on X, the Nigerian High Commission said the treatment of its envoy amounted to disrespect towards Nigeria.

“Our Ambassador, H.E. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, @realFFK was treated with contempt and disdain and by extension so was Nigeria,” the commission said.

The mission also defended Fani-Kayode’s claim that Ramaphosa intervened in the matter, expressing respect for the South African president over what it described as his intervention.

“H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who we have the utmost respect for, did the right thing by intervening. We got the result we wanted. End of story,” it added.

Magwenya, however, maintained that neither Ramaphosa nor the presidency intervened in the operations of South Africa’s public broadcasters.

In a further response to the Nigerian mission, he described its position as false and urged the high commission to familiarise itself with South Africa’s constitution, laws and the editorial code of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

“Even when it’s institutionalised, a lie remains a lie. There was no such intervention from the President or the Presidency and there will never be,” he said.