Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye on course despite misstep -Presidency
Tinubu and Erdorgan in Turkey
*Says President stepped on an object, ‘resulting in a minor loss of balance’
BY EMEKA AGU
The viral video of President Bola Tinubu, tripping and falling in far away Turkiye, where he is undergoing a state visit should not be a cause for alarm, according to some presidential aides who have confirmed that it was a misstep.
According to them, President Bola Tinubu is hale and hearty and proceeding with his scheduled state visit to Turkiye according to plan.
The update was disclosed on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, on his verified X handle.
Dare said the President proceeded from the ceremonial reception to scheduled bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior officials.
“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” the Presidency said.
The meetings are aimed at deepening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation across strategic sectors.
Areas of engagement include defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and broader economic development.
The smooth progression of the visit reflects growing ties between Nigeria and Türkiye and underscores Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic outreach under President Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, addressed enquiries on Tuesday regarding the President’s wellbeing in Ankara.
Onanuga clarified that the President merely stepped on a object, resulting in a minor loss of balance.
“The President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance,” Onanuga said.
“This is not a big deal, except for those who want to make mischief out of a fleeting incident.”
“It was a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall,” he added.
The Presidency urged the public to disregard attempts to sensationalise the minor incident, stressing that the President remains fit and fully engaged.
