. I hope all is well with you, Atiku mocks
. We achieve nothing by gloating, could happen to any of us, says Obi
. Don’t make a meal of Tinubu’s slump, Osinbajo’s ex-spokesman cautions
Samuel Adesola, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Atiku Abubakar have differed over President Bola Tinubu’s slip at the Eagle Square on Democracy Day.
Tinubu had stumbled and slightly fell as he climbed a parade vehicle during the June 12 celebration at the Eagles Square in Abuja.
The President, who was immediately surrounded by military officers and some of his aides, quickly got up and pulled himself together, as if nothing had happened.
The event then continued as he waved to the crowd from the vehicle.
Obi in a series of tweets, said the incident proved our “shared humanity” and should not distract us from the serious issues confronting Nigeria.
He kicked against anyone gloating over the incident, saying anybody could fall victim to such an incident.
He tweeted, “I was saddened to learn of President Tinubu’s unfortunate fall today. I wish him well. We achieve nothing by gloating about an accident that could well happen to any of us.
“We are all human beings and while we profoundly disagree on how to move Nigeria forward, we must remember our common human frailty. Let us stay focused on the issues that will lead to a new Nigeria.
“May this moment serve as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the need for compassion, empathy, and unity in our pursuit of a brighter future for our great nation.”
But earlier, Atiku on his part, mocked President Tinubu over the unfortunate incident.
The former Vice President had tweeted, “I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu, @officialABAT, over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him. -AA.”
Meanwhile, a former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has urged the public and media to avoid blowing the incident out of proportion.
Akande in his reaction to the incident had tweeted that emphasis should be on focusing on the substantive issues of governance rather than a fleeting moment during the ceremonial event.
Akande had tweeted, “Making a meal of d President’s slip at parade ground earlier today during the ‘democracy day’ is of no intrinsic value. It’s rather inelegant to make a mockery of such. We should wish him well & continue to hold him accountable for the good governance he has repeatedly promised.”
The incident occurred while President Tinubu was climbing into a parade vehicle, missing his step and stumbling.
President Tinubu, who slightly fell, quickly regained his composure and continued with the ceremonial event.
Akande’s appeal followed the wave of reactions that trailed the incident, with some commentators and social media users focusing excessively on Tinubu’s misstep.
According to Akande, such a focus detracts from more pressing issues and the broader significance of Democracy Day.
He stated, “Making a meal of the President’s slip at the parade ground earlier today during the ‘Democracy Day’ is of no intrinsic value.
“It’s rather inelegant to make a mockery of such. We should wish him well and continue to hold him accountable for the good governance he has repeatedly promised.”
