Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered his sympathies to President Bola Tinubu following an “unfortunate incident” that occurred as Tinubu was set to review a parade on Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations.
In a tweet, Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, said he “sincerely sympathise[d]” with Tinubu over the incident, and expressed the hope that “all is well with him.”
The nature of the incident was not specified in Atiku’s statement. However, reports indicate that there were disruptions and confusion during the Democracy Day parade in Abuja on June 12th, leading to the early conclusion of the event.
Tinubu was in attendance at the parade but did not complete the full review as scheduled. The presidency has not yet provided detailed information about what exactly transpired.
Atiku’s message of support comes amidst an ongoing period of political transition in Nigeria, as Tinubu settles into his new role as president following a closely contested election.
Despite their rivalry during the campaign, Atiku’s statement suggests a willingness to put aside political differences and offer goodwill to the new administration, particularly in the face of what he termed an “unfortunate incident.”
The show of concern from the former VP is likely intended to project an image of national unity and stability, even as Nigeria navigates the early stages of Tinubu’s presidency.