The former Southeast Spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has dismissed concerns surrounding President Tinubu’s brief slip during an official engagement in Turkey, describing the incident as a normal human occurrence rather than a health issue.
Onoh accused opposition politicians of engaging in what he termed baseless propaganda, aimed at exploiting a minor incident that occurred during the President’s state visit to Turkey on Tuesday.
President Tinubu reportedly slipped briefly during a ceremonial welcome in Ankara, an incident that quickly generated widespread reactions across Nigerian media platforms.
Reacting to the development, Onoh said the brief stumble neither reflected the President’s health nor diminished the importance of the visit, stressing that such moments are common risks associated with high-level official engagements.
He explained that world leaders often navigate unfamiliar venues, ceremonial protocols and demanding schedules under intense public scrutiny, making occasional missteps inevitable.
Onoh cited several global examples, including former U.S. President Gerald Ford, who famously fell down the steps of Air Force One in Austria in 1975. He also recalled incidents involving former U.S. Presidents Joe Biden, who tripped on the aircraft stairs in 2021, and Barack Obama, who briefly stumbled while disembarking Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in 2015.
Other leaders mentioned included Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who fell from a stage in 2004, and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, all of whom experienced similar incidents during official duties.
“These examples serve as reminders that even the most accomplished leaders are human and prone to occasional missteps,” Onoh said.
Addressing the cause of the incident, Onoh referenced explanations from the President’s team, which attributed the slip to a poorly laid blue carpet at the venue that created an uneven surface.
“It was not health-related in any way. President Tinubu immediately regained his composure, received assistance and continued with his programme seamlessly,” he stated.
Onoh further stressed that the incident did not affect the objectives of the visit, which included strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Turkey, enhancing trade and investment, expanding defence cooperation, and exploring infrastructure development opportunities.
According to him, President Tinubu went on to hold scheduled bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials, demonstrating resilience and unwavering commitment to national duties.
“In the service of Nigeria,” Onoh said, “any small personal discomfort a leader endures—whether a stumble or greater sacrifice—is worthwhile if it advances the greater good of the nation.”
He urged opposition figures to focus on offering constructive ideas and viable policy alternatives rather than amplifying fleeting incidents for political gain.
Onoh reaffirmed that President Tinubu remains in good health and fully committed to delivering on his mandate, calling on Nigerians to focus on unity, progress and shared national prosperity.
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