By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Reactions yesterday trailed the sudden withdrawal of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, from a political campaign rally in Minna, Niger State.
Initial reports said Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, was rushed off the rally because of health concerns.
A trending video of the incident showed Tinubu hailing party leaders on the campaign platform, acknowledging cheers. Shortly after, he was seen escorted out of the podium, which sent tongues wagging.
The health challenge issue, however, was vehemently denied by a top Tinubu media aide and a member of his media directorate, Bayo Onanuga, who debunked claims that his principal was ‘rushed off the stage due to health grounds.
*He bowed to the crowd with respect –Onanuga, PCC member
According to Onanuga, who is the director of media and publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Tinubu only made his speech brief in order “to attend to other programmes of the day in the Niger State capital.
The APC PCC’s statement read in parts: “A massive crowd of APC supporters welcomed the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Minna on Wednesday, as he arrived for the mega rally.
“The cheering crowd was unprecedented, according to journalists at the Trade Fair Complex, the venue of the rally.
NAS tasks elderly, middle-aged on healthy lifestyles, celebrates 70 years
“Tinubu, who held another successful rally in Kaduna on Tuesday, arrived in Minna in the evening of the same day for a series of meetings with APC leaders.
“The crowd was so huge that Tinubu spoke briefly to appreciate the supporters and identified the party candidates seeking elective positions.
“Contrary to the rumours that he was rushed off stage because of health concerns, Tinubu cut it short to attend to other programmes of the day.
“He commended the party supporters for coming out en masse to witness the flag off of the presidential campaign.”
Other reports held that the APC presidential candidate inaugurated his campaign office in the city following the rally.
No sooner had the news of the sudden withdrawal surfaced than social media exploded with comments on what next to do after Tinubu’s abrupt departure from Niger State.
While some commentaries were hard bones, others presented a sympathetic angle on the plight of the presidential candidate they felt must be having his hands full with activities.
*He should take care of his health –Online comments
Some of the reactions that trended include those from @sosunwale who wrote a sarcastic piece: “He walked off the stage himself na, probably just needed to catch his breath. It has been a busy week, all that stress is not good for an old man.”
@Bulama8976’s response to the flag was: “They should allow this old man to rest, Tinubu can’t continue with the campaign.”
@AlwaysJayjam went philosophical: “Wailers’ Nemesis, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja after a hugely successful campaign carnival in Minna. Niger State. Asiwaju will succeed and Nigeria Will be better for it.”
@YahayaSaniA wrote: “The APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his team return to Abuja after a very successful outing in Minna, Niger State.
