Contrary to the negative narratives being insinuated by some Nigerians following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent stumble in Turkey, a veteran crime journalist, Folorunsho Atta, has dismissed concerns linking the incident to the President’s health.
Atta, who said he has known President Tinubu closely for over 32 years, described the public reaction as misplaced, stressing that the President’s occasional stumbling is not new to those who have interacted with him over the decades.
Speaking with Security Alert, Atta said, “With all sincerity and honesty, President Tinubu has been stumbling for over 30 years. This is not something new.”
He recalled an incident in 1993, before, during, and after the June 12 presidential election, when he frequently visited Tinubu’s office located on Ahmed Onibudo Street in Victoria Island.
“I remember one day in 1993 when I visited him with my colleague, the late Frank Alabi. As he was walking us towards his Cherokee Jeep to give us a ride, he stumbled and had to rest on the car,” Atta recounted.
He also narrated a similar experience in 2007 at the Lagos State Governor’s Guest House in Ikeja GRA.
“As soon as he sighted me, he moved swiftly towards me and stumbled. We both ended up falling on a chair. In all these instances, I believe overexcitement may have been responsible,” he said.
While clarifying that he is not a medical expert, Atta maintained that the President’s stumbling should not be interpreted as a sign of failing health.
“If at all, the President’s health is impaired, some of his long-standing habits may not be unconnected to it. Those who have been close to him for over two decades will attest to the fact that he hardly sleeps for five hours. You can call him at 1 or 2 a.m., and he will pick up. I am very sure even his political adversaries will confirm this,” Atta disclosed.
He urged Nigerians to focus on more pressing national issues, noting that dwelling on trivial matters would do little to advance the country’s growth and development.
