NEWS
Why I Rarely Read Prepared Speeches at Public Events – President Tinubu Explains
A former Special Assistant to then Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and now a professor at Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Dapo Thomas, has shed light on why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rarely reads prepared speeches during public engagements, revealing that the President believes in connecting directly with the people rather than relying on written remarks.
Thomas shared the account while reflecting on his time working closely with Tinubu during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. According to him, he once questioned his principal after noticing that, despite spending time together reviewing and refining speeches before events, Tinubu often departed from the prepared text while addressing audiences.
Recalling the conversation, Thomas wrote:
“Oga, can we discuss the observations I told you about?”
“Go on.”
“I observed that on two or three occasions, you didn’t really read the speeches I wrote for you during events.
“I am asking because the two of us normally sit together to proofread, edit and agree on the points or issues to raise in most of the speeches,” I inquired.
Responding to the concern, Tinubu explained that his approach was deliberate, emphasizing that politics is about engaging directly with the people and creating a lively atmosphere during public events.
“When we go through the speeches here in my office, I always pick most of the salient points I will discuss at the events. As a politician, I must allow the drummers and the singers to play a part in every event. Every event is a campaign platform for the politician.
“In most of the speeches, I know which points will excite the people, and the moment I make those points, the singers and the drummers will take over in appreciation. That’s when you will hear songs like, ‘Asiwaju ma ba se rere lo, ise re ma da wa l’ọrun, Asiwaju ma ba se rere lo,’ meaning, ‘Asiwaju, keep doing the good work. It is delightful the way you are going about it.’”
Thomas further revealed that Tinubu drew a clear distinction between speeches prepared for official records and the messages he delivers directly to the public, stressing that his preference has always been to communicate spontaneously with audiences.
According to Thomas, Tinubu said:
“The prepared speeches are for the press, not for the people. I talk to the people. I do not like reading speeches when addressing the people. I prefer talking to them.”
The revelation provides an insight into President Tinubu’s long-standing communication style, which prioritizes direct engagement with audiences, allowing him to respond to the mood of the crowd while emphasizing key political messages during public appearances.