Presidency downplays health concerns, says Tinubu is fine after minor stumble in Turkey

The Presidency has dismissed speculations surrounding the health of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the President remains hale and hearty and is fully engaged in his official visit to Türkiye.

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

Dare said President Tinubu had proceeded seamlessly from a ceremonial reception in Ankara to a series of scheduled bilateral engagements with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other top government officials.

“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 stated.

According to him, the meetings are focused on strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Türkiye while expanding cooperation in key strategic areas. These include defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and broader economic development initiatives.

The Presidency noted that the smooth progression of the President’s engagements reflects the growing ties between both countries and underscores Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic outreach under President Tinubu’s administration.

READ ALSO: ‘Governors don’t win elections, people do’, Aregbesola tells Tinubu

In a related development, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, also addressed inquiries regarding the President’s wellbeing following reports of a brief incident during his visit in Ankara.

Onanuga explained that the President merely stepped on a metal object on the floor, causing a momentary loss of balance, which he stressed was neither serious nor health-related.

“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.”

He added, “It was a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall.”

The Presidency urged members of the public to disregard attempts to sensationalise the minor incident, reiterating that President Tinubu remains fit, healthy and fully committed to his official duties and diplomatic engagements.