By Okeke Eunice
Reuben Abati, a former presidential aide and seasoned journalist, has shared details about the atmosphere during yesterday’s Media Chat with President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu spoke to Nigerians on Monday in a media chat ahead of the Christmas celebrations.
The President’s spokesperson, Bola Onanuga, had previously announced this in a statement on Monday.
The President addressed questions on topics such as reducing the size of his cabinet, the recent stampedes during palliative distributions, the removal of the fuel subsidy, borrowing, tax reform bills, and other important national matters.
In some interviews, the President’s media team provides journalists with guidance on which questions to ask, and in some cases, the questions are even shared among the reporters.
However, Abati clarified that this was not the case with Monday’s media chat with Tinubu.
The Arise TV presenter, who has interviewed numerous Presidents and served as a spokesperson for former President Goodluck Jonathan, moderated the media chat with Tinubu.
He shared on a national television, “No one asked us to submit questions, and President Tinubu didn’t inquire about the topics we’d discuss.
“In fact, we didn’t see him until he walked onto the set. I was impressed by his positive demeanor and readiness for the conversation with Nigerians. I would recommend that his media team arrange these sessions more frequently.”