* And minimize speech blunders
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, revealed on Konday that his media handlers have advised him to always read his prepared speeches, and avoid speaking extempore.
The former governor of Lagos State revealed this on Monday while speaking at the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session in Kaduna.
Some notable northern elders had invited the four main presidential candidates to speak on their plans for Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu had in the past been criticised for his comments on public platforms whenever he spoke unscripted. Perhaps to reduce his constant gaffes in public places, his speech writers admonished him to read from his prepared scripts. The APC presidential candidate revealed this much by saying:
“Back on focus, because I have been warned to stay on script.”
Tinubu has an array of experienced media professionals working with him. They include Bayo Onanuga, a Nigerian journalist who co-founded The News Magazine and also served as the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria under the Buhari administration.
Dele Alake, another journalist, activist and technocrat recognised as one of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy. He is also a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State between 1999–2007 under the Tinubu administration.
Tinubu made a blunder while making reference to Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the seventh Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit on Saturday, October 15.
Tinubu had said the Kaduna State governor “turned a rotten situation to a bad one.”
He, however, later stated that he used idioms and synonyms while making the statement.
Earlier, Tinubu assured the audience at the event of a buoyant and vibrant economy if he wins the 2023 presidential election. He promised that his government will build an economy that will help the country achieve double-digit growth.
He also commended Governor El-Rufai for coming up with the summit that attracts investors to the State, saying that is exactly what he did in Lagos 20 years ago.