Multiple claims have trailed the attendance of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of South Africa’s re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, South Africa.
Ramaphosa, following the country’s general elections in May and his party’s alliance with the opposition, was sworn in for a second term of five years on June 19, 2024.
A short video of the moment Ramaphosa was extending pleasantries to dignitaries at the event, was widely circulated on WhatsApp alongside texts.
A part of the text read, “Big shame as Tinubu attends the South African President’s inauguration. Cyril Ramophosa ignored the presence of Tinubu completely. It’s as if Tinubu doesn’t exist. No handshakes, no bowing, no introductions, not even a “hi”.
“Meanwhile Nigeria flew in the largest delegation of any country to attend the ceremony but Tinubu was deliberately kept in the back row and completely ignored. Tiny poor countries like Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Congo were all acknowledged but no regards was extended to Tinubu.”
Similarly, multiple social media users, as seen here and here, also shared the clip claiming that the Nigerian president was disregarded by his South African counterpart at the swearing-in ceremony. Other social media users have also raised concerns over the sitting position of President Tinubu, suggesting Nigeria was slighted due to the fact that the Nigerian leader did not get a front row seat.
Claim I: Nigerian President Tinubu was ignored by the re-elected South African President Ramaphosa at the swearing-in ceremony in Pretoria
Verification
A critical look at the circulating clip revealed that President Ramaphosa was extending pleasantries to the standing guests at the Union Buildings, where the swearing-in ceremony was held, when he was politely asked to return to his seat for the recitation of the national anthem.
“Mr president, I unfortunately ask you to pause your greetings and to return to your seat in order to receive the final compliments which will include the national anthem,” the ceremonial aide said.
Following the call, Ramaphosa turned back and put his palms together in a prayer-like gesture to greet his Nigerian counterpart before returning to his seat. President Tinubu bowed in response to the namaste gesture from his South African counterpart.
Further checks showed that both presidents greeted each other, exchanging pleasantries with a handshake, as can be seen here and here.
Tinubu left Nigeria for South Africa at 11 am on Tuesday, June 18. Following his arrival at Waterkloof Air Force Base on Tuesday evening, pictures and video shared on the verified X handle of the South African government show that the Nigerian president received a ceremonial welcome with the presence of the country’s officials and an Honour Guard.
A statement by the South African Presidency partly read, “South Africa regards Nigeria as a strategic partner in the context of bilateral relations, the West Africa region, and the continent in the pursuance of the African Agenda, South-South cooperation, and in the promotion of a rules-based international system.”
Verdict: FALSE
The CDD War Room confirms that Ramaphosa did not disregard Tinubu as they both exchanged pleasantries at the swearing-in ceremony. Also, the South African government acknowledged the attendance of the Nigerian president at the inauguration event.
Claim II: Nigeria flew in the largest delegation of any country to attend the swearing-in ceremony
Verification
We found no verifiable information on the size of Nigeria’s delegation to the South African president’s swearing-in ceremony in Pretoria. Additionally, no credible media reports indicate that Nigeria sent the largest delegation compared to other countries.
President Tinubu had earlier directed a 60% reduction in the size of delegations for government foreign trips in January 2024, following public criticism of the large Nigerian delegation at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, UAE.
Verdict: NO EVIDENCE
Claim III: The front row was reserved for the kings and all visiting presidents were seated in the second row
Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media and New Media, O’Tega Ogra said in a statement on his verified X handle that the first row at the inauguration venue was reserved for “South African Kings/royalty”, noting that all visiting presidents were all seated in the second row.
Verification
Findings by the CDD War Room revealed that the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and the President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, were seated in the first row.
Verdict: FALSE
Claim IV: President Tinubu was relegated to the back row
Verification
We observed that President Tinubu was not the only visiting president who sat in the second row, behind the South African President. Other visiting presidents who also sat in the second row include the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa and the President of Angola, João Lourenço.
During Tinubu’s swearing-in ceremony at the Abuja’s Eagle Square on May 29, 2023, visiting presidents from other countries also sat in the third row, behind the Nigerian President.
Verdict: ALL WE Know