Presidency says Tinubu is hale and hearty in Turkey

The Presidency said that President Bola Tinubu was hale and hearty and proceeding with his scheduled state visit to Turkiye according to plan.

The update was given on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, on his verified X handle.

The update was consequent upon the emergence of videos on social media of President Tinubu stumbling and falling during a reception in Turkey.

Dare noted that the President proceeded from the ceremonial reception to scheduled bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior officials.

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“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” the Presidency said.

The meetings are aimed at deepening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation across strategic sectors.

Areas of engagement include defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and broader economic development.

The smooth progression of the visit reflects growing ties between Nigeria and Türkiye and underscores Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic outreach under President Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, addressed enquiries on Tuesday regarding the President’s wellbeing in Ankara.

Onanuga clarified that the President merely stepped on an object, resulting in a minor loss of balance.

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

“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,” he added.

The Presidency urged the public to disregard attempts to sensationalise the minor incident, stressing that the President remains fit and fully engaged.