Professor Dapo Thomas, a former Special Assistant to Bola Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor, has shed light on why the President often avoids reading prepared scripts during public appearances. These details appear in Thomas’s upcoming autobiography, Lagos Boys and Lagos Politics, which is set for release on July 9, 2026.
Thomas recalled questioning Tinubu about why he often disregarded their carefully edited speeches. In response, Tinubu explained that he views every public event as a political campaign platform. He purposefully identifies key points during the drafting process to ensure he can connect with the crowd. According to the President, his spontaneous delivery allows him to react to the audience and the musicians, who often erupt in praise once he mentions specific issues.
Tinubu clarified that while prepared texts are useful for the media, they lack the personal connection he seeks with his constituents. He noted that he finds it more effective to speak directly to the people, prioritizing engagement over reading from a script.