Was Tinubu Snubbed by President Ramaphosa at Pretoria Ceremony? Here’s What We Know

Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for another term as South Africa’s president on Wednesday, June 19. 

The 71-year-old took the oath of office before Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Several heads of state attended the event, including Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Angola’s Joao Lourenco, the Republic of the Congo’s Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Eswatini’s King Mswati III.

Shortly after the ceremony, a one-minute video began circulating online, shared by various Nigerians, claiming that President Ramaphosa ignored President Tinubu.

The video shows Ramaphosa greeting guests in the front row while Tinubu stands behind the dignitaries, observing them receiving handshakes from the newly inaugurated President.

Yesufu claimed that President Tinubu was ignored by Ramaphosa during the event. She shared a YouTube video and wrote, “My people say a child who doesn’t listen at home will be disgraced outside! Tinubu disgraced once again in South Africa.” 

Her tweet quickly gained attention, with 268,000 views, 667 replies, 1,200 reposts, and more than 3,000 likes.

Another user, @MissPearls, also posted the video, saying, “Ashiwaju looking lost as Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa ignores him while thanking others for attending his inauguration!”

Similarly, Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) asked: 

“Why did the South African president ignore Tinubu while greeting other foreign dignitaries who honoured his invitation?” His post received over 52,800 views, 670 likes, and 400 reposts.

Here are some comments on the posts: 

Babandan (@DogaraSamson): “Honestly, that’s very irresponsible of the SA president.”

@adetiloyeclaron2021 (@adetiloyeclaro2): “Disrespectful! A whole ECOWAS Chairman and President of Giant of Africa. That South African president must be dealt with.”

Peppermint_D.C (@Peppermint63581): “That was a whole level of disrespect. Not even a handshake or any form of recognition…”

The claim that President Tinubu was ignored by President Ramaphosa is false. The video clip circulating online does not capture the full context of the event.

Ramaphosa did acknowledge and greet President Tinubu and other guests after the National Anthem was taken. 

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President Tinubu had traveled to Pretoria from Lagos to attend Ramaphosa’s inauguration. 

A statement from presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said that Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries saw Tinubu off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. 

Tinubu departed at about 11:06 am on a Dassault Falcon 8X aircraft with registration number 9H-GRC.