President Bola Tinubu has said his misstep at the Eagle Square on Democracy Day celebration which went viral on social media was part of the celebration.
At a Democracy Day dinner held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Mr Tinubu threw his audience into laughter when he described the fall as prostration being a “Yoruba boy,” in honour of democracy.
“Earlier this morning, I had a swagger, and it was on social media,” Mr Tinubu said. “They were confused about whether I was doing Buga or Babaringa.’’
For Mr Tinubu, June 12, “is a day to celebrate democracy, while doing “dobale” for the day. I’m a traditional Yoruba boy, I did my dobale.”
“Dobale,” is a Yoruba word for prostration; a respectful way of greeting elders.
Mr Tinubu’s humour on the incident came hours after he fell as he tried climbing the parade vehicle during the celebration earlier on Wednesday.
One of his media aides, Dada Olusegun, earlier dismissed the incident as mild misstep and no issue, allaying fears that the President was hurt in the fall.
The incident triggered reactions from many Nigerians including Mr Tinubu’s political rivals.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party said “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.” However, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party mocked Mr Tinubu, asking if all was well with him.