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 arising from 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 spreading what he called 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 event that quickly sparked widespread reactions across Nigerian media platforms.
Reacting, Onoh said the brief stumble neither reflected the President’s health nor diminished the significance of the visit. He stressed that such incidents are common risks associated with high-level official engagements, particularly those involving ceremonial protocols and unfamiliar environments.
He explained that world leaders often operate under intense public scrutiny while navigating demanding schedules, unfamiliar venues and strict protocols, making occasional missteps inevitable. To support his position, Onoh cited global examples, including former U.S. President Gerald Ford’s fall from Air Force One steps in 1975, former President Joe Biden’s stumble in 2021, and a similar incident involving Barack Obama in 2015. He also referenced Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
“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 cited explanations from the President’s team, which attributed the slip to a poorly laid blue carpet that created an uneven surface. He emphasized that the incident was not health-related and noted that President Tinubu quickly regained his composure and continued his programme without disruption.
Onoh added that the slip did not affect the objectives of the visit, which included strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Turkey, expanding trade and investment, enhancing defence cooperation and exploring infrastructure development opportunities.
He urged opposition figures to focus on constructive engagement and policy alternatives rather than amplifying minor incidents for political gain, reaffirming that President Tinubu remains in good health and fully committed to his mandate.
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