President Bola Tinubu missed his step and fell while walking into a vehicle that would convey him to a parade at Eagle Square in commemoration of Democracy Day.
The president, who had earlier delivered a nationwide broadcast, arrived at Eagle Square for the parade on Wednesday morning.
He was surrounded by men of the Armed Forces and some of his personal aides.
However, Tinubu who wore a white native attire popularly known as agbada and his signature cap, struggled to save himself by holding on to the vehicle but landed on the ground while his aides rushed to support him back to his feet.
“He immediately went on with the ceremonial rounds. No issues,” Dada Olusegun, a presidential aide, wrote on X.
The parade later continued as the president waved to the crowd while the vehicle slowly made its way through.
In his speech, President Tinubu paid tribute to the individuals who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s democratic struggle, including MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and others.
According to the President, Nigeria lost great heroes and heroines along the way. In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others sacrificed their very lives.
Tinubu praised the sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, and Chief Cornelius Adebayo, among many others, who should never be forgotten. For at least six years, they bore the pains and difficulties of life in exile.
He said while the exiled pro-democracy activists kept the fire burning, their comrades at home sustained the pressure on the military brass hats. Among the latter are Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Abdul Oroh, Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Chief Olu Falae, and other National Democratic Coalition leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.
Tinubu acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigeria and highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at creating a stronger economic foundation for future growth.
He stated that he understands the economic difficulties Nigeria face as a nation.
He said Nigeria’s economy has been in desperate need of reform for decades. It has been unbalanced because it was built on the flawed foundation of over-reliance on revenues from the exploitation of oil.
