President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has faced fresh criticism from Nigerians following the circulation of videos showing him apparently stumbling while walking and making an unclear statement during his campaign appearance in Akwa Ibom State on Friday.
The incidents have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the president’s physical condition and ability to seek another term in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Some social media users have also called on Tinubu to reconsider his re-election ambition and withdraw from the presidential race.
In one of the viral videos, the president was seen walking slowly with the support of his aides. At another point, he appeared to stumble but was immediately held by those accompanying him.
Tinubu also attracted attention during his speech when he made a controversial remark while criticising the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
Speaking during the event, the president questioned whether his intellectual ability could be compared with that of the former Anambra State governor.
“You want to compare my brain with that of Peter Obi?” Tinubu asked.
He further criticised Obi over the erosion challenges in Anambra State, saying, “He (Obi) ran away from erosion in Anambra and now wants to be president, president of where? Lilikabu.”
The expression “Lilikabu” generated reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning what the president meant by the word. No official clarification had been provided by the Presidency as of the time of filing this report.
The latest controversy comes days after another incident during Tinubu’s campaign appearance in Kaduna State, where First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was seen handing what appeared to be a white tablet to the president shortly before he addressed the gathering.
Although the nature and purpose of the item were not independently established, the footage generated speculation about the president’s health and attracted criticism from some Nigerians.
Friday’s appearance in Akwa Ibom has further intensified the debate, with social media users expressing different opinions about the president’s physical condition and political future.
An X user, Okanumee, called on Tinubu to step aside, arguing that the president should prioritise his health rather than continue pursuing political power.
“Tinubu should go and rest. If he refuses, God will force him to rest. What’s all these because of power? It’s Nigerians that tolerates this rubbish,” the user wrote.
Another user, Michael, compared the situation to former United States President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election following concerns about his age and fitness for another term.
“Even Joe Biden quit for someone else to run when he had falls like this,” he wrote.
He further argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should consider presenting another candidate for the 2027 election, insisting that Nigerians deserved a president capable of handling the responsibilities of the office.
Similarly, another X user, Simon David, urged Tinubu to step down, expressing concerns about the president’s physical appearance.
“How can a President of a whole black nation be falling like a Dick? Step down,” he wrote.
However, some Nigerians defended the president, arguing that his physical appearance should not automatically be interpreted as an indication that he lacks the capacity to govern.
An X user, Fidel Otuya, maintained that critics were misinterpreting Tinubu’s body language and argued that the president remained politically strong despite appearing tired.
“They misread Tinubu’s body language. He appears to be sick and tired, but there lies his strength,” Otuya wrote.
He also described Tinubu’s remarks against the opposition as one of his strongest political attacks, arguing that supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would find it difficult to respond.
The reactions highlight the growing political debate surrounding Tinubu’s health, leadership and eligibility to seek another presidential term in 2027, as Nigerians continue to express sharply divided opinions about his administration and re-election ambition.
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