What Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar said after Tinubu fell on Democracy Day

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

It’s no longer news that President Bola Tinubu lost his footing and fell while attempting to board a motorcade to inspect the colorfully decked Guard of Honour at the 2024 Democracy Day parade at Eagle Square in Abuja, on Wednesday, June 12.

Mr Tinubu, who arrived and was being led to the presidential motorcade to observe the parade commemorating this historic occasion, missed his step and stumbled into the stationary open-air vehicle as he tried to board.

The President was quickly assisted by his military aides and regained his composure swiftly. He continued with the day’s events, smiling and acknowledging cheers from well-wishers as he observed the parade.

On his X page, Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, remarked that President Tinubu is not a superman but a human like other Nigerians. Tinubu himself joked about the incident, saying he had only “dobale”—prostrated to pay homage to democracy.

While President Tinubu is not the first world leader to have stumbled publicly, his opponents from the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, reacted to the incident.

Sympathy

Mr Atiku, the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, expressed his sympathies to Mr Tinubu.

On his X page, he said: “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.”

I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu, @officialABAT, over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him. -AA pic.twitter.com/XDkm10nVOt

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) June 12, 2024

Mr Obi, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, expressed his sadness upon learning of President Tinubu’s unfortunate fall.

The former Anambra State Governor wished President Tinubu a speedy recovery, stating, “We gain nothing by taking pleasure in an accident that could happen to any of us.”

“We are all human beings and, while we profoundly disagree on how to move Nigeria forward, we must remember our common human frailty. Let us stay focused on the issues that will lead to a new Nigeria.

“May this moment serve as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the need for compassion, empathy, and unity in our pursuit of a brighter future for our great nation.”

I was saddened to learn of President Tinubu’s unfortunate fall today. I wish him well. We achieve nothing by gloating about an accident that could well happen to any of us.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 12, 2024