₦airaland Forum

Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said Turkish officials dismissed the debate in Nigeria over President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during his official visit to the country as “silly”.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa stated this Wednesday while reacting to a post on X by a user, Oguntoye Opeyemi, also known as Equityoyo, who criticised the level of attention Nigerian media gave to the incident.

“Exactly. On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she wrote.

The NIDCOM boss explained that Turkish officials expressed surprise at the controversy, with one describing the focus on the moment as “silly and mischievous,” while emphasising that Tinubu’s visit was being positively received across Türkiye.

“One of them described it as ‘silly and mischievous,’ and reiterated how their country was excited about the incredible success of the visit by @officialABAT, which is all over their media here,” Dabiri-Erewa added.

In his post, Opeyemi also observed that the incident did not feature in Türkiye’s mainstream media. “Not a single Turkish TV station reported the President’s accidental slip because it’s a non-issue. But Naija TV and national newspapers,” he wrote.

President Tinubu had briefly stumbled on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past organised in his honour at the parade ground in Ankara. The moment occurred as he stepped forward to join the guard of honour, briefly drawing attention before the event proceeded without interruption.

Footage of the incident, first shared by Turkish digital outlet Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated on X, showed Tinubu walking beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before momentarily losing his balance. He was swiftly supported by security personnel.

Tinubu’s visit, his first official trip to Türkiye, is focused on deepening diplomatic ties and boosting collaboration in areas such as defence, trade, investment, energy, media and scientific research.

If there is one thing I can do for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to let you and your supporters know that I want the best for you, it is to advise you to forget about the 2027 Presidential Election because of your old age and state of health.

There is no one who can cheat the nature and it is obvious that you are not fit following the way you stumbled and fell in Turkey during a ceremonial welcome reception in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

You took part in a march-past alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential complex and you lost your balance, even though the Presidency has attributed your stumbling to the poorly laid carpet which you were not the only person who matched on. It is really embarrassing.

Meanwhile, no matter how the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Presidency is trying to hide your real age and state of your health to the general public, the nature will keep on revealing what you are hiding.

Remember, this is not the first time President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would stumble or fall. Because on Democracy Day, June 12, 2024 at Eagle Square in Abuja, you fell down and it was during the day but you lied that you "dobale". Who did you "dobale" or prostrate to? Anyone can stumble or fall but it should not be habitual.

However, my candid advice for the Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is not physically fit for the office you are currently occupying, it is to look for a younger and healthier person from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and southern Nigerian preferably, either Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN or Mr. Babatunde Raji Fasola, SAN who you know is capable, competent, people-oriented, and trustworthy to replace you as the party's Presidential flag bearer in the 2027 Presidential Election.

This is in order to rekindle the hope of the good people of Nigeria and for you to take time from politics to look after your health.

Concerned citizen:

OMOTOSHO, Oluwabusuyi Oladotun Emmanuel

Racoon:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/turkish-officials-were-shocked-tinubu-stumble-made-headlines-in-nigeria-abike-dabiri/

Madam liar kiokio, is this Daily Trust or Arise TV ?
You will better be in the ground so you don't get see things as they happen.
Anụ Mpama! https://t.co/ofDAWVo0pm pic.twitter.com/cjGKZgbl9x

— Nwabughiogu Sunny (@Diamond20101989) January 29, 2026

One of them described it as ‘silly and mischievous,’ and reiterated how their country was excited about the incredible success of the visit by @officialABAT, which is all over their media here,” Dabiri-Erewa added.

sweerychick:
I believe there's an underlying health issue with president Tinubu. Even before he was elected president he kept falling up and down. During campaigns, someone even made a hilarious skit about it, using kiss Daniel Buga.