Media Chat: “I Thought I Could Rattle Tinubu, But He Knows What He’s Doing” — Reuben Abati

Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson and co-host of Arise Television’s breakfast show, has commended President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating confidence and readiness during his first media chat as president.

The landmark interview, held on December 23 at Tinubu’s Ikoyi residence in Lagos, saw seven journalists, including Abati, engage the president in an unscripted and candid discussion. Reflecting on the experience during The Morning Show on Tuesday, Abati remarked on Tinubu’s composed demeanor and sharp responses, noting that the president appeared fully attuned to his role.

“I liked the fact that, sitting next to him, he has settled into the job. He knows what he’s doing. He spoke with a lot of confidence,” Abati said.

Abati expressed surprise at the president’s ability to tackle questions without prior preparation. According to him, no advance notice of the questions was given, and Tinubu handled the discourse without any hesitation or superficiality.

“I was shocked that this man… they didn’t even prepare him. He just walked onto this set and he’s sounding like this. That again is something to commend. He was relaxed. I thought I could rattle him once or twice,” Abati noted.

He also praised Tinubu’s media team for arranging the session and encouraged them to make it a regular feature to foster more communication between the president and Nigerians.

“By way of recommendation, his media team should do this regularly. Let him do it again and again, and talk to Nigerians,” Abati added.