- By Halimah Olamide
“I’m honoured and privileged to have President Tinubu attend my inauguration yesterday. It lifted my spirits and that of South Africans as a whole that the President of Africa’s biggest nation will attend our inauguration.
Newly inaugurated South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the presence of the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at his inauguration was a spirit-lifting experience for him.
Ramaphosa’s comments and appreciation of Tinubu’s presence at the Wednesday’s swearing in ceremony came amidst controversies over alleged poor protocol treatment of the Nigerian leader.
There have been debate over the place of Tinubu in the sitting arrangement which showed him on a back roll.
Many have argued that Tinubu, being President of Africa’s most populous country should have had a front roll seat in the sitting order.
A viral video showing Ramaphosa greeting many other leaders in the front roll with Tinubu at the back had sparked the debate.
However, the Nigerian presidency had in the early hours of Thursday shared images that showed Tinubu and Ramaphosa in a close greeting position.
Currently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts South Africa to be Africa’s largest economy.
IMF had in April forecast, had said that South Africa was set to reclaim its ranking as Africa’s largest economy, according to its World Economic Outlook.
Nigeria on the other side, was ranked Africa’s biggest economy in 2022.
In video shared by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on New Media, Olusegun Dada, the South African leader was seen telling Tinubu that he appreciated his coming to honour him.
“I’m honoured and privileged to have President Tinubu attend my inauguration yesterday. It lifted my spirits and that of South Africans as a whole that the President of Africa’s biggest nation will attend our inauguration. I have come to pay my deepest respects to him and also discuss matters that unite both of our countries,”
Ramaphosa also spoke of the existing good relationship between his country and Nigeria adding that his respect for Nigeria is huge.
In the same vein, a post seen by the NPO Reports by the South African presidency quoted Ramaphosa as expressing his respect for the Nigerian leader.
“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.” the South African presidency had posted on Thursday.
Analysts believe that the visit by Ramaphosa and his comments are strategic diplomatic moves to downplay the alleged misgivings created by the protocol arrangement that did not give due respect to the Nigerian leader at the venue of the event.