Tinubu’s Stumble No Cause For Alarm — Onoh

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 over the President’s brief stumble during an official engagement in Turkey, saying the incident was a normal human occurrence, not a sign of ill health.

Onoh accused opposition politicians of spreading what he described as baseless propaganda to exploit the moment during President Tinubu’s state visit to Ankara on Tuesday.

Tinubu was seen briefly losing his footing 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 slip neither reflected the President’s health nor diminished the significance of the diplomatic mission.

“These things happen. It was a minor misstep, nothing more,” he said, adding that the President remained composed and proceeded with his schedule as planned.

He emphasised that even world leaders are prone to occasional slips, particularly in unfamiliar settings or during demanding official engagements.

To underscore his point, Onoh cited several global examples of leaders experiencing similar incidents former U.S. President Gerald Ford fell on the steps of Air Force One in Austria in 1975, Joe Biden tripping on aircraft stairs in 2021, Barack Obama briefly stumbled at Andrews Air Force Base in 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Cuban leader Fidel Castro are also known to have lost footing during official duties and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reportedly encountering a similar moment.

“These examples serve as reminders that even the most accomplished leaders are human and prone to occasional missteps,” Onoh said.

Onoh referenced explanations from the President’s team, which attributed the stumble to a poorly laid blue carpet at the venue creating 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.

He reiterated that the incident had no impact on the objectives of the visit, which are centred on strengthening Nigeria‑Turkey relations.

According to Onoh, Tinubu had gone on to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials, underscoring his resilience and commitment to national duties.

“In the service of Nigeria, 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 said.

Onoh urged critics and opposition figures to offer constructive policy alternatives instead of amplifying fleeting incidents for political gain.

He reaffirmed that President Tinubu remains in good health and fully committed to his mandate, urging Nigerians to prioritise unity, progress and shared national prosperity.