Turkish Officials Dismissed Tinubu Stumble Row as ‘Silly’ – Abike Dabiri

The controversy generated in Nigeria over President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during his official visit to Türkiye has been dismissed as “silly” by Turkish officials, according to Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this on Wednesday while responding to a post on X by a user, Oguntoye Opeyemi (Equityoyo), who commented on media reactions 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.

According to her, one of the Turkish officials described the attention given to the incident as “silly and mischievous,” stressing that the visit itself was being widely celebrated in 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.

Opeyemi, in his post, also noted that the incident received no attention 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.

Tinubu had on Tuesday briefly stumbled during a ceremonial march-past organised for his reception at the parade ground in Ankara.

The incident occurred as the President joined the guard of honour, momentarily drawing attention before the programme continued without disruption.

A video of the moment, shared by Turkish digital news platform Nefes Gazetesi and later circulated on X, showed Tinubu walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before briefly losing his balance.

He was quickly assisted by security operatives.

Despite the video going viral in Nigeria, the Presidency has repeatedly downplayed the incident.

Reacting earlier, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu remained “hale and hearty” and continued with his official engagements.

“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” Dare said in a post on his verified X handle.

Similarly, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the incident as minor.

“The President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance.

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“This is not a big deal, except for those who want to make mischief out of a fleeting incident. It was a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall,” Onanuga said.

Tuesday’s reception began at about 5:00 pm local time with the playing of both national anthems and a ceremonial 21-gun salute.

Following the ceremony, Tinubu and Erdoğan held a closed-door bilateral meeting to discuss issues of strategic importance between both countries.

The visit, Tinubu’s first official trip to Türkiye, is aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation in defence, trade, investment, energy, media, and scientific research.

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A business forum was also expected to be held on the sidelines of the visit to connect Nigerian and Turkish investors.

Senior Nigerian officials present at the reception included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.).

The Presidency urged Nigerians to disregard attempts to sensationalise the incident, maintaining that the President remains fully engaged in his official duties.