President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday condemned an assassination attempt on former US President, Donald Trump, calling the attack as distasteful.
Trump, the Republican candidate for the November election, was carried off stage after gunshots were fired at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, in a disturbing incident that will feed worry ahead of the 2024 election.
A day after the tragedy, Tinubu joined world leaders in condemning the attack, stressing that violence has no place in democracy.
“The attack on former President Donald Trump is offensive and violates democratic standards. “Violence has no place in democracy,” he declared on X.
“I extend my sympathies to the former President and wish him relief. I also condole with the family of the deceased and those wounded and wish them a quick recovery.
According to the President, Nigeria is standing in solidarity with the United States of America at this time.
The shooter is dead.
“Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people are dead, including an apparent shooter,” The Washington Post reported. A second onlooker may have also been struck.
The gathering in Butler, Pennsylvania, devolved into pandemonium as shots were fired and screams and yells rang out.
“Let me get my shoes,” Trump said into the microphone as security agents assisted him back to his feet.
He returned to the crowd and repeatedly raised his fist, mouthing words that were not immediately discernible, in what is sure to become an iconic image.
Agents pulled the 78-year-old tycoon into an SUV as he raised his fist again at the throng.
“We saw a lot of people go down, looking confused.” “I heard the shots,” said John Yeykal of Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump event.
The incident sparked dismay among US politicians.
Former President Barack Obama stated that “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” declared him.
Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader, added, “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine following a despicable attack on a peaceful rally.” Violence has no place in our political system.
Billionaire Elon Musk responded by promptly endorsing Trump.
“I fully support President Trump and wish him a speedy recovery,” Musk tweeted on X, which he owns with car manufacturer Tesla, as he shared a video of Trump raising his fist while being led away.
The United States has a history of political violence, and presidents, previous presidents, and candidates are heavily guarded.
President John F. Kennedy was slain in 1963 while travelling in a motorcade, and his brother Bobby Kennedy was shot in 1968. President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981.