Reassessing the Presidential Media Chat in light of new realities

Q: I am of the opinion that if at all the presidential media chat will be retained, it should be made to appeal to the style the president is comfortable with.

The President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration introduced the presidential media chat in Nigeria. It was a platform created by him and for him. It suited his leadership style – humor, theatrics, and people management skills. In my opinion, it worked. It endeared him to a lot of simple minded Nigerians who are detached from the realities of governance – the easily persuaded people! Other presidents after him have adopted this system as well and whether it worked or not are debatable. It is on record that Nigerians began to develop a deep lack of confidence in the Musa Yar’adua’s administration after a presidential media chat. His health condition became obvious; those who managed him did a pretty bad job. It was not his terrain and he struggled to be in charge. The famous “Goat and Yam” parable in Nigeria was during a presidential media chat. President Goodluck isn’t at his best at impromptus and his administrative style showed that. He should have created a style that suited him.

Now to the alleged recent disregard for the rule of law by President Muhammadu Buhari, at his median presidential media chat. Media chats have ended up exposing the weaknesses of subsequent presidents after its creator. One wonders then, why they have kept faith with the practice. Doesn’t common sense dictates that each president should reassess the merits and demerits of the initiative, decide whether it is suitable for him and retune it in light of new realities if necessary?

The Obasanjo administration had an advantage over other administrations because there was no social media to contend with. Even when it did come, it never became quite popular and pervasive before he left office. This gave the administration space for window dressing and not everything that transpired in the media chat ended up in the hearts of Nigerians. Whoever didn’t listen was condemned to a reported version. This made the effect less viral as it is at the moment where social media amplifies key aspects of the chat even before the president leaves the chat room. The current trend leaves room for minimal errors for presidents, especially in a globalized economy where both foreign and local investors look forward to policy statements and hints from presidents.

The last presidential media chats exposed a major flaw in President Buhari in terms of a clear understanding of the economy and making categorical policy statements that should boost investor confidence. I am of the opinion that such error was avoidable as presidents are not expected to know all. They are human and that is why they are expected to have a team. What if the country’s Finance Minister accompanied the president to the chat room and answered most of the questions on the country’s foreign exchange management among others from an informed perspective? What if the Defence Minister/Interior Minister followed the President as well? What if the Attorney general of the federation followed to save the President from committing legal blunders?

There is no rule that says a president must host the conventional presidential media chat if there is no strategic objective. Every time the President of the United States comes up to make a speech or address the press, the essence is always clear. It is never a platform for random and uncoordinated thoughts. I am of the opinion that if at all the presidential media chat will be retained, it should be made to appeal to the style the president is comfortable with. I also think the objective and core of the chat should be well stated and as such the president should answer questions with the support of key members of the cabinet who have first hand information on the subject matter to save the president from avoidable and unintended gaffes. The country has enough worries already; it just cannot afford unnecessary distractions aimed at changing the narratives.

Daniels Adeoye

(Daniels Adeoye is a research analyst based in Lagos)