The presidency [/b]has issued a detailed response following widespread reactions to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s brief stumble during his ongoing state visit to Turkey, firmly assuring Nigerians that the incident posed no threat to the president’s health, safety, or ability to carry out his official duties.
The moment, which was captured on camera and quickly went viral across social media platforms, occurred in Ankara while President Tinubu was taking part in high-level diplomatic engagements with Turkish authorities aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between both nations.
Incident Occurs in Ankara
President Tinubu reportedly missed his step briefly during a formal ceremony in Ankara, drawing immediate attention from observers and online users who expressed concern over the footage.
The incident happened while he was in the company of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during an official reception organised by the Turkish government.
Despite the unexpected moment, the Nigerian leader quickly regained his balance, maintained composure, and continued with the scheduled programme without any sign of discomfort or disruption.
Presidential Aide Addresses the Situation
Reacting swiftly to the viral video, Dada Olusegun, Senior Special Adviser on Social Media to the President, dismissed speculations and fears surrounding the incident.
Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, he clarified that the stumble was minor and did not interfere with any official activities.
He wrote: “Mr President missed his step very briefly and has continued his Bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A live press conference is happening immediately after the bilateral.”
Photos and Video Shared by the Presidency
To further calm public concerns, Olusegun shared fresh photos and video clips showing President Tinubu standing confidently alongside President Erdoğan during official photo sessions.
The images also featured key Nigerian officials present at the meeting, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, reinforcing that activities proceeded normally.
Mixed Reactions Trail the Video
The circulating video sparked mixed reactions online, particularly on X, where some Nigerians expressed worry about the president’s age and physical well-being, while others dismissed the moment as a harmless slip that could happen to anyone.
President Tinubu, 73, had earlier inspected a guard of honour during the formal welcome ceremony, appearing energetic and composed throughout the reception activities.
Purpose of Tinubu’s Turkey Visit
President Tinubu arrived in Turkey late Monday night, January 26, through the Ankara Esenboğa Airport.
He was warmly received by a Turkish government delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekkin, alongside Nigerian diplomatic officials.
The state visit is focused on boosting diplomatic relations, trade partnerships, investment opportunities, and broader economic cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey.
Presidency Says Activities Continue
The presidency has maintained that the brief stumble has had no impact on the president’s itinerary, stressing that all bilateral meetings, press briefings, and official engagements are continuing smoothly as scheduled.
Officials described the viral reactions as exaggerated, noting that the president remains fully active and committed to the objectives of the visit.
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