*Pix above: President Ramaphos {backing camera}
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Social media has gone gaga as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa exchanged greetings with numerous world leaders, notably snubbing Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by omitting a formal greeting with him.
Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in for a second term as South Africa’s president on Wednesday in a ceremony in the administrative capital, Pretoria, after his reelection with the help of a coalition of parties, a first in the country’s 30-year rule.
*Ramaphosa gazing away
Tinubu, King Mswati III of Eswatini, Zimbabwe President Emerson Mnangagwa, Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo were among many dignitaries who attended the inauguration ceremony.
In a now-viral video sighted by our correspondent, Ramaphosa was seen greeting other African leaders with handshake but pretended like he didn’t see Nigeria’s President Tinubu, even as Tinubu looked him directly in the eyes, but he still ignored him.
This has generated mixed reactions among observers with many claiming it’s a disgrace to Nigeria – the giant of Africa; others simply wonder what might have caused the action of the South African president who was in Nigeria on May 29, 2023, when Tinubu was being inaugurated as president.
A Twitter user @alexander_caee said; “Tinubu is a disgrace to Nigeria’s democracy and every single thing that’s attached to nation building. His bigotry antecedent is now all over Nigeria and the international community are watching endlessly. NY Times is an example.
Another user @okeychines wrote; “He should be vocal cos I noticed that they thought that one of the dignitaries came with his father. He should’ve have told them that he’s Nigerian president. I know they’ll not believe it but he should talk first.”
@Joejohnseen said; “Inferiority complex abroad and among supposed fellow colleagues but feel and act like emperor at home. He’s only as important as hyped by his slaves. An absolute and resounding nothingness of a fellow.
@chikechyke12 reacted; “Tinubu is Chairman of ECOWAS. Nigeria is the giant of Africa.Yet he was placed on the second row. Nigeria played a big part during the apartheid in SA, a Nigerian president should have been in the front.This shows you how low we are now regarded because of Tinubu. It deliberate.”
@mazicharsis said; “He always looks so lifeless. Despite representing important entities, Nigeria and ECOWAS, he’s always far from those embodiments.”
@JMogow reacted; “Leave sentiment, the new president didn’t conduct himself well on this one. whether personal or cultural, this isn’t how you maintain unity.”
@Chekwube wrote; “It might be he moves line to line or? Might’ve greeted him in the second batch.{agency}/PLEASE SHARE
