The Nigerian High Commission has sharply criticized South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, accusing the official of insulting Nigeria’s president and newly accredited ambassador and of damaging relations between the two countries.

In a statement, the High Commission said the spokesperson had previously described the presidents of Nigeria and Ghana as “peddlers of fake news” after they raised concerns about Afrophobia and xenophobia in South Africa. It said it had chosen not to respond at the time.

The Commission accused the spokesperson of calling Nigeria’s newly accredited ambassador a liar shortly after he presented his credentials. It said the ambassador had raised a complaint with Ramaphosa over what it described as a slight by the president’s media team toward him and Nigeria.

The statement urged the spokesperson to leave the matter to diplomats and called for restraint and reconciliation. It also alleged that other ambassadors witnessed the incident at the accreditation ceremony and said the High Commission had a video recording of the proceedings, which it could release if authorized.

The High Commission said Ramaphosa had intervened and directed the spokesperson and the state broadcaster to address the matter. It described the issue as closed but said it was prepared to respond if it were escalated.