The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the fall of his principal during the democracy day event held at Eagle Square in Abuja.
It was reported on Wednesday that Tinubu approached the vehicle shortly after he arrived at the venue of the 2024 Democracy Day, but lost his footing momentarily as he was about to step into the vehicle.
However, despite the slip, the President regained his balance and continued with the proceedings.
The development has attracted several reactions from Nigerians. Some citizens mocked the President over the incident, and others downplayed it because the president went on with the ceremonial rounds.
Reacting to the incident via a post on his X handle, Onanuga stated that the President’s fall should not detract from the importance of the democracy day celebration.
The presidential aide asserted that the Nigerian leader was just human and anyone, including political leaders, could slip or fall.
Onanuga further cited examples of the current American President, Joe Biden, and his predecessor, Barack Obama, who slipped while in office despite his young age.
He wrote, “President Tinubu is not a superman. He is human, like all of us. President Biden has had several slips in the last three years. Even the younger Barack Obama slipped while President. Political leaders are human. Slipping should not detract from the import of Democracy Day celebration.”
Also reacting to the incident on X.com, former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani defended Tinubu’s fall, saying that anyone can trip and fall.
He wrote, “Not Just President Tinubu, anyone alive can trip and fall; it happened to President Biden and Fidel Castro. Presidents are human beings and mortals.”
