President Bola Tinubu | File Image
Nigeria’s president jokes about fall during ceremony.
Tinubu: I’m a traditional Yoruba boy, I did my dobale
By Valentine Amanze
President Bola Tinubu cannot stop amusing hungry Nigerians – forcing them to laugh in the midst of hunger and starvation.
Tinubu, who has brought humour to governance, jokingly described his fall during Wednesday’s Democracy Day ceremony as “Yoruba culture on display.”
Tinubu slipped and fell over at an official event to mark 25 years of democracy in the country.
The president, 72, fell as he climbed the steps on a vehicle which was supposed to take him around Eagle Square in the capital, Abuja.
He had to be helped to get back to his feet.
Also read: Tinubu now to decide Nigeria’s minimum wage
Later in the evening, while giving a speech at the banquet dinner organised as part of the day’s events, the former Lagos State governor said that he was all over social media after falling.
His words: “Early this morning, I had a swagger and it’s on the social media. They’re confused whether I was doing buga or doing babanriga [referring to two popular dance moves in Nigeria],
“But it’s a day to celebrate democracy while doing dobale [yoruba term for bowing to greet elders] for the day. I’m a traditional Yoruba boy, I did my dobale.”
One of his aides described it as a “mild misstep” and said that the president had been able to continue with the rest of the day’s programme.
“He immediately went on with the ceremonial rounds. No issues,” wrote presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, on X.
Mr Tinubu’s closest challenger during last year’s election, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his sympathy.
“I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him,” he wrote on X.
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