- Dr. Reuben Abati confirms no pre-screened questions in landmark interview.
- President Tinubu’s candid approach earns praise for spontaneity and transparency.
Veteran journalist and Arise News presenter, Dr. Reuben Abati, has disclosed that neither he nor his colleagues in the press were asked to submit questions ahead of the recent media chat with President Bola Tinubu.
Dr. Abati, who served as the moderator for what marked President Tinubu’s first media interaction since taking office, emphasized the unfiltered nature of the discussion.
“Nobody asked us to submit questions,” Abati said, shedding light on the unscripted format of the event. “President Tinubu did not inquire about the topics we intended to discuss. In fact, we did not see him until he walked onto the set.”
Recalling the atmosphere leading up to the encounter, Dr. Abati remarked, “We were kept waiting for a while, but that is not unusual when meeting a sitting president.
However, when he finally appeared, he was in high spirits, ready to engage, and prepared to address Nigerians directly.”
The transparency of the session has been widely praised, with Dr. Abati commending the president’s openness and willingness to tackle questions on the spot, further underlining his readiness to engage with the public.