Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Wednesday, sympathised with President Bola Tinubu, following his slip at the Eagles Square in Abuja on Wednesday,
The President slipped while attempting to board the presidential parade vehicle at the Eagles Square in Abuja.
Tinubu had approached the vehicle shortly after he arrived for the June 12 or Democracy Day celebration and the 25th anniversary of the country’s unbroken democratic governance.
The President, 72, lost his footing momentarily as he was about to step unto the vehicle.
However, despite the slip, the President was quickly lifted up by his security details and continued with the proceedings.
The Presidency described the incident as a “mild misstep”.
In a post on X, the President’s Special Adviser on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said, “ Mr President missed his step while climbing into the truck at the June 12 Democracy Day celebration and tripped. It was a mild misstep. He immediately went on with the ceremonial rounds. No issues.”
Also, Tinubu himself joked about the incident later during the Democracy Day Dinner at the Banquet Hall in the State House, Abuja.
He stated “In the morning I skipped, it is all over social media. They are confused whether I was doing buga or babariga, but it is a day to celebrate democracy while doing Idobale (Yoruba cultural way of greeting).
“I am a traditionally Yoruba boy, and I did my Idobale. It is a day that is worthy of falling for. We aren’t going to move an inch. I have heard excellent comments and very touching remarks about myself and about the past. I thank you all.
“My sincere gratitude to all of you for standing by me. I promise you I won’t fall. Nigeria is a great country.”
Reacting to the incident, Atiku, on his X handle, sympathised with Tinubu, who is his political rival.
“I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu, @officialABAT, over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him,“ Atiku wrote on X.
Similarly, Obi, in a series of posts on X, said the incident was nothing to gloat about.
Obi also asked Nigerians to remember their common human frailty and stay focused on the issues that will lead to a new Nigeria
Obi berated those mocking the President over the incident, adding that such could happen to anyone.
He wrote: “I was saddened to learn of President Tinubu’s unfortunate fall today. I wish him well. We achieve nothing by gloating about an accident that could well happen to any of us.
“We are all human beings, and, while we profoundly disagree on how to move Nigeria forward, we must remember our common human frailty. Let us stay focused on the issues that will lead to a new Nigeria.
“May this moment serve as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the need for compassion, empathy, and unity in our pursuit of a brighter future for our great nation.”
However, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in last year’s election, Omoyele Sowore, described Tinubu as an ailing man using Nigeria as health insurance.
He said, “Tinubu is sick and there is no country in the world that should allow a sick person to lead them.
“He (Tinubu) is just using Nigeria as health insurance. “
Meanwhile, at the Eagles Square celebration, the National Troupe unveiled a large portrait painting of the President.
According to the National Troupe, the portrait of the President is the world’s largest painting portrait on canvas.