Peter Obi of the Labour Party has expressed sadness over President Bola Tinubu’s fall during Democracy Day celebration on Wednesday, urging Nigerians not to mock the president.

“I was saddened to learn of President Tinubu’s unfortunate fall today,” Mr Obi said in a series of tweets on Wednesday. “I wish him well. We achieve nothing by gloating about an accident that could well happen to any of us.”

Mr Obi, who ran against Mr Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election, urged citizens to stay focused on issues that will lead to a new Nigeria.

“May this moment serve as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the need for compassion, empathy, and unity in our pursuit of a brighter future for our great nation,” Mr Obi said.

Mr Tinubu fell as he tried to climb the parade truck on Wednesday, eliciting reactions among Nigerians. However, presidential media aide Dada Olusegun said Mr Tinubu was fine after the fall, dismissing the incident as a “mild misstep and no issue.”

“President Tinubu is not a Superman. He is human like all of us,” Bayo Onanuga, another media aide, said. “President Biden has had several slips in the last three years. Even the younger Barack Obama slipped while President. Political leaders are human. Slipping should not detract from the import of Democracy Day celebration.”

Like Mr Obi, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party sympathised with Mr Tinubu and asked if all was well with him.