Tinubu mocks his fall at Eagles Square

In a light-hearted response to a minor mishap that quickly gained attention on social media, President Bola Tinubu has addressed his fall at Eagles Square in Abuja, humorously framing it as a gesture of respect for Nigeria’s 25 years of unbroken democracy.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning as President Tinubu was mounting the parade vehicle. He missed a step and fell, an event that was promptly captured on video and widely shared online. The footage sparked a wave of reactions, with some Nigerians mocking the President’s stumble.

Unfazed by the online jests, President Tinubu quipped about the incident during a subsequent address. He described his fall as an act of ‘swagger’ and playfully referenced popular cultural terms.

“Early this morning I had a swagger, and it is on social media. They are confused whether I was doing Buga or doing Babariga,” the President remarked. “But it is a day to celebrate democracy while doing dobale (prostration) for the day. I am a traditionally Yoruba boy, I did my dobale (prostration).”

By turning the fall into a moment of humor and cultural pride, President Tinubu sought to diffuse the situation and refocus attention on the significance of the day—celebrating a quarter-century of Nigeria’s democratic governance.