Reuben Abati, who moderated President Bola Tinubu’s recent media chat, revealed no questions were pre-submitted or vetted. The President discussed key national issues, including fuel subsidy removal, tax reforms, and cabinet changes, expressing confidence in his administration's future despite the challenges Nigerians face.
Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, revealed that no questions were pre-submitted or vetted ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s media chat, which took place on Monday. Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Abati, who moderated the session, emphasized that Tinubu’s media team did not request questions in advance, and there was no prior discussion about the topics to be covered. Abati explained, "Nobody asked us to submit questions; we didn’t even see him until he walked onto the set."
The media chat, held just before Christmas, provided President Tinubu an opportunity to discuss several national issues, including his administration’s plans for cabinet size reduction, challenges in palliative distributions, the controversial fuel subsidy removal, borrowing, and tax reforms. Despite some contentious policies, Tinubu expressed confidence in the trajectory of his government, describing it as the start of a "glorious dawn" for Nigeria.
On the topic of fuel subsidy removal, Tinubu remained resolute, stating that he had no regrets about the decision, emphasizing its necessity for Nigeria’s long-term growth. He also defended the ongoing tax reforms, mentioning the possibility of negotiating parts of the Value Added Tax (VAT) changes. While acknowledging the hardships caused by the reforms, Tinubu reassured Nigerians that the measures are aimed at securing a brighter future for the country.
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