*Okupe defends President, says reactions, ‘politics taken too far’
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Special Advisor to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has come to the defence of his principal after the slip during the 2024 Democracy Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja.
Onanuga via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle @aonanuga1956 emphasised that Tinubu is only human and not a superman, citing examples of other political leaders who have also experienced slips.
During the ceremony, Tinubu tripped while climbing onto the parade truck, but he quickly regained his balance and continued with the day’s activities.
The incident sparked a significant response on social media, with many Nigerians reacting to the event.
Onanuga said, “President Tinubu is not a superman. He is human like all of us. President Biden has had several slips in the last three years. Even the younger Barack Obama slipped while he was President. Political leaders are human. Slipping should not detract from the import of Democracy Day celebration.”
The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, his verified X handle @DOlusegun also weighed in, describing the slip as a “mild misstep” that did not cause any issues. He stated:“Mr President missed his step while climbing into the truck at the June 12 Democracy Day celebration and tripped. It was a mild misstep. He immediately went on with the ceremonial rounds. No issues”
Also reacting to the development, former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe via his verified handle @doyinokupe said: “Nigeria has become a theater of the absurd. The President “trips” at a function and all discussions go pedestrian. Everyone on social media including people of high networth disgracefuly joined the fray. The import of the President’s speech was lost in the show of shame. Its Politics taken too far.”