President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday condemned an assassination attempt on former US President, Donald Trump, describing the attack as distasteful.
Trump, the Republican candidate for the November election, was rushed off stage when gunshots were fired at a campaign rally on Saturday in Pennsylvania, in a shocking incident that will fuel anxiety in the run-up to the 2024 election.
A day after the incident, Tinubu joined world leaders to decry the attack, saying violence has no place in democracy.
“The attack on former President Donald Trump is distasteful and goes beyond the pale of democratic norms. Violence has no place in democracy,” he said 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 stands in solidarity with the United States of America at this time.
Shooter Dead
“Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said two people are dead, including an apparent shooter,” The Washington Post reported. A second bystander may also have been hit.
The rally in Butler, Pennsylvania descended into chaos after shots were heard and screams and shouts rang out.
“Let me get my shoes,” Trump was heard saying on the microphone, as security agents helped him back to his feet.
He turned back to the crowd and repeatedly raised his fist, as well as mouthing words that weren’t immediately discernable, in what is set to become an iconic image.
Agents bundled the 78-year-old tycoon into an SUV, as he once more raised his fist to the crowd.
“This is an active crime scene,” Secret Service officers told reporters, ordering them out of the area.
“We saw a lot of people go down, looking confused. I heard the shots,” said John Yeykal from Franklin, Pennsylvania, who was attending his first Trump rally.
US politicians reacted with shock to the incident.
Former president Barack Obama said there was “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,” he said.
Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell added: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics.”
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted by quickly endorsing Trump.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X, which he owns along with car manufacturer Tesla, as he shared a video of Trump pumping his fist while being escorted away.
The United States has a history of political violence and presidents, former presidents and candidates have tight security.
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 while riding in his motorcade, and his brother Bobby Kenndy was shot dead in 1968. President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981.
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