“Mr president only missed his step briefly” – Presidency reacts to viral video of Tinubu in Turkey

The presidency has reacted to concerns trailing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s brief stumble during his ongoing state visit to Turkey, assuring Nigerians that the incident did not affect the president’s health or official schedule.

The moment, which was captured on video and circulated widely on social media, occurred in Ankara while President Tinubu was participating in official engagements with Turkish authorities.

Incident Occurs in Ankara

President Tinubu reportedly missed his step briefly during a formal event in Ankara.

The incident happened while he was in the company of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Despite the awkward moment, the president quickly regained balance and continued with the programme without interruption.

Presidential Aide Addresses the Situation

Reacting to the viral footage, Dada Olusegun, Senior Special Adviser on Social Media to the President, played down concerns surrounding the incident.

He wrote on his verified X account: “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 reassure the public, Olusegun shared a video and photos showing President Tinubu and President Erdoğan posing for official photographs.

The images also captured top Nigerian officials at the meeting, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Mixed Reactions Trail the Video

The video sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms, especially on X, with many users expressing concern over the president’s age and well-being.

President Tinubu, 73, had earlier inspected a guard of honour as part of the formal reception organised by the Turkish government.

Purpose of Tinubu’s Turkey Visit

President Tinubu arrived in Turkey on Monday night, January 26, through the Ankara Esenboğa Airport.

He was received by a Turkish government delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekkin.

The state visit is aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

Presidency Says Activities Continue

According to the presidency, the brief stumble has not affected the president’s schedule, as all bilateral meetings and official engagements are continuing as planned.

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