Olu Allen
Yes, I saw it. And honestly, someone in Aso Rock’s wardrobe department needs to come outside and explain small.
Because what exactly was that coat?
Cold is cold, yes. Nobody is arguing against warmth. But there is a difference between dressing for winter and dressing in a way that turns the President into the most layered man in Ankara.
That coat was not just an outfit. It was an announcement.
It entered the scene before the man did.
President Erdogan wore his own with quiet composure, fitted, steady, presidential.
Our own, however, looked like the coat had its own foreign policy.
At some point, one begins to wonder: was Tinubu walking… or was the coat escorting him?
Now, oversized clothing is not merely a fashion issue. It becomes a matter of movement, balance, and optics.
Gravity, after all, is stubborn. It does not recognise office. It does not salute. It simply waits, like Nigerian opposition. for one small misstep.
And that Turkey moment… let us be honest… it almost wrote itself.
Was it just a slip? Of course.
But was it also a metaphor in fabric? The image of excess material obscuring a leader’s step felt almost too perfect.
These are questions.
This is not mockery. It is concern.
Because imagine, God forbid, if there had been a stone nearby. Imagine a bad fall. Imagine a preventable tragedy. That would no longer be politics. That would be national sorrow.
Nigeria cannot afford “peradventure” moments around the Presidency.
So perhaps Aso Rock should consider two modest interventions.
First, employ a stylist who understands that “bigger” is not always “better.” Sometimes, dignity is in the details.
Second, prioritise the kind of wellness routine that keeps any leader steady, healthy, and confident in public engagements.
Not because anybody is asking for a gym influencer-in-chief, but because stability is part of the image of leadership.
A President should not be managing his steps, his coat, and the economy all at once.
The country needs poise and stamina, not unnecessary distractions.
Because right now, the coat is giving: “emergency blanket meets protocol.”
And we should not reach the stage where Nigerians begin to blame wardrobe choices for governance outcomes.
After all, how a President wears his coat is never just about the coat. It is also a signal.
Small confidence no dey kill.
Allen writes from Kano. He comments on public affairs and advocates good governance.
