President Bola Tinubu has labelled his fall while climbing a vehicle to inspect Democracy Day parade at the Eagle Square in Abuja as “swagger”.
The president lost his footing on Wednesday for a moment as he was about to step into the parade vehicle.
He quickly regained his balance and continued with the proceedings which was part of a series of events to mark Democracy Day.
The president’s fall has quickly dominated headlines and become a matter of conversation online.
However, speaking on the incident later, Tinubu said: “Early this morning, I had a swagger, and it’s on social media. They were confused about whether I was doing Buga or Babariga, but it is a day to celebrate democracy while doing ‘Idobale’ (a Yoruba word meaning prostration) for the day.
“I am a traditionally Yoruba boy, and I did my Idobale.”
The president’s aides have since brushed off the fall, saying Tinubu is only human and that it could happen to anyone.
Several high-profile persons have also reacted to the incident.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wrote on X: “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.”
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also said he hoped all was well with the president.
