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Nigeria's Tinubu Jokes About Fall During Democracy Day Ceremony, Health Concerns Resurface
Nigeria's Tinubu Jokes About Fall During Democracy Day Ceremony, Health Concerns Resurface
Sputnik Africa
At an official event commemorating 25 years of democracy in Nigeria, President Tinubu, aged 72, took a tumble while ascending the steps of a vehicle. The... 13.06.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-06-13T18:00+0200
2024-06-13T18:00+0200
2024-06-13T18:38+0200
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Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has downplayed his fall during Wednesday's Democracy Day celebrations, jokingly attributing the incident to his "Yoruba culture" and playfully referencing popular Nigerian dance moves.The 72-year-old president stumbled and fell while climbing the steps of a vehicle during the official event marking 25 years of democracy in Nigeria. The incident occurred as he was preparing to review a parade at Eagle Square, the capital's main ceremonial ground.Later that evening, during a banquet speech, Tinubu acknowledged the widespread attention his fall garnered on social media.Presidential aide Dada Olusegun reassured the public, describing the incident as a "mild misstep" and confirming that Tinubu was able to continue with the rest of the day's program.Despite Tinubu's lighthearted response, the fall has rekindled concerns about his health, a topic that was frequently raised by his opponents during the tightly contested 2023 presidential election.Sympathy messages poured in from various figures, including Tinubu's closest challenger in the election, Atiku Abubakar, who expressed his hope that the president was well.While many Nigerians offered their best wishes, some social media users expressed their concern about the president's health, citing the "scary" nature of the fall.
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Nigeria's Tinubu Jokes About Fall During Democracy Day Ceremony, Health Concerns Resurface
18:00 13.06.2024 (Updated: 18:38 13.06.2024) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
At an official event commemorating 25 years of democracy in Nigeria, President Tinubu, aged 72, took a tumble while ascending the steps of a vehicle. The incident occurred at Eagle Square in Abuja, where the President was scheduled to review a parade in honor of Democracy Day. Aides swiftly assisted him back to his feet.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has downplayed his fall during Wednesday's Democracy Day celebrations, jokingly attributing the incident to his "Yoruba culture" and playfully referencing popular Nigerian dance moves.
The 72-year-old president stumbled and fell while climbing the steps of a vehicle during the official event
marking 25 years of democracy in Nigeria. The incident occurred as he was preparing to review a parade at Eagle Square, the capital's main ceremonial ground.
Later that evening, during a banquet speech, Tinubu acknowledged the widespread attention his fall garnered on social media.
"Early this morning, I had a swagger, and it's on social media. They're confused about whether I was doing buga or doing babanriga [referring to two popular dance moves in Nigeria]," he said. "But it's a day to celebrate democracy while doing dobale [yoruba term for bowing to greet elders] for the day. I'm a traditional Yoruba boy, I did my dobale."
"
Presidential aide Dada Olusegun reassured the public, describing the incident as a "mild misstep" and confirming that Tinubu was able to continue with the rest of the day's program.
Despite Tinubu's lighthearted response, the fall has rekindled concerns about his health, a topic that was frequently raised by his opponents during the tightly contested 2023 presidential
election.
Sympathy messages poured in from various figures, including Tinubu's closest challenger in the election, Atiku Abubakar, who expressed his hope that the president was well.
"I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him," Abubakar wrote on X.
While many Nigerians offered their best wishes, some social media users expressed their concern about the president's health, citing the "scary" nature of the fall.
