Presidency blames Tinubu’s stumble in Turkey on poorly laid carpet

The presidency has blamed President Bola Tinubu’s stumble during a ceremonial welcome reception in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, on a poorly laid carpet.

The incident occurred on Tuesday as Tinubu took part in a march-past alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential complex.

The video footage circulating online shows the president briefly losing his footing while walking beside his host, causing him to stumble before he was assisted by security personnel and continued the programme without further disruption.

According to Arise Television, the presidency attributed the incident squarely to a poorly laid blue carpet at the venue.

Dada Olusegun, the president’s special assistant on social media, said Tinubu proceeded seamlessly with the state visit’s agenda.

“Mr President missed his step very briefly and has continued his Bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A live press conference is happening immediately after the bilateral,” he wrote on X.