Denge Josef Onoh, a former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has dismissed claims linking the President’s brief slip during an official engagement in Turkey to health concerns, describing the episode as a minor and human occurrence that was misrepresented for political purposes.

Onoh, who is also chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, reacted to widespread commentary that followed President Tinubu’s stumble on Tuesday during a welcome ceremony in Ankara. He accused opposition figures of seizing on the incident to push what he called baseless propaganda during the President’s state visit.

According to Onoh, the momentary loss of footing did not reflect the President’s physical condition, focus or the substance of the visit. He said such incidents were common risks faced by leaders operating in unfamiliar environments under tight schedules and ceremonial protocols. “It is not any health-related issue. President Tinubu quickly regained his composure, received assistance, and continued seamlessly with his programme,” he said.

He attributed the slip to a poorly laid blue carpet at the venue, which he said created an uneven surface. Onoh added that similar incidents had occurred to other world leaders during official duties, citing former United States President Gerald Ford’s fall from Air Force One in 1975, President Joe Biden’s stumbles on aircraft stairs in 2021, and a brief stumble by President Barack Obama in 2015. He also referred to incidents involving China’s President Xi Jinping in 2019, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 2004, and former US Vice-President Mike Pence.
“These examples serve as reminders that even the most accomplished leaders are human and prone to occasional missteps,” Onoh said.

He stressed that the incident did not affect the objectives of the Turkey visit, which he said were focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, and advancing cooperation in defence and infrastructure. He noted that President Tinubu went on to hold scheduled bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials.
“In the service of Nigeria, any small personal discomfort a leader endures—whether a stumble or greater sacrifice—is worthwhile if it advances the greater good of our country and its citizens,” Onoh said. “True leaders embrace such moments as part of their noble duty to place national interest above all else.”

He called on opposition politicians to focus on offering policy alternatives and solutions rather than amplifying what he described as fleeting incidents for partisan advantage, and reaffirmed that the President remained fit and committed to his responsibilities.