- On Wednesday, the president tripped and fell heavily while climbing the parade vehicle at Eagle Square in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has downplayed his fall during the presidential parade on 2024 Democracy Day, saying it was another way of celebrating the occasion.
On Wednesday, the president tripped and fell heavily while climbing the parade vehicle at Eagle Square in Abuja.
Clips of the fall went viral on social media, eliciting mixed reactions from many netizens and prominent Nigerians.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar described the incident as “unfortunate” while sympathising with the president.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, admonished people not to mock Tinubu over the fall, noting that the incident “can happen to anyone”.
However, speaking at a dinner organised to mark the day, Tinubu said his slump was a way of showing respect for the occasion.
He described the incident as a “swagger” moment.
The president added that he was offering “prostration” as homage to the important celebration.
“Earlier this morning, I had a swagger, and it is on social media,” Tinubu said.
“They were confused about whether I was doing Buga or Babariga. But it is a day to celebrate democracy while prostrating as a form of respect for the day.
“I am a traditional Yoruba boy. I did my dobale. Democracy is a day that is worthy of falling for