Reuben Abati, a journalist from Arise TV and a former media advisor to the president, has raised inquiries about the professional endeavors of President Bola Tinubu‘s sons, Seyi and Yinka.
Abati, who once served as a media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, shared his perspective during Wednesday’s broadcast of “The Morning Show” on Arise TV, a program he co-hosts alongside journalists Oseni Rufai and two others.
Additionally, he pointed out a troubling incident where Tinubu’s sons were allegedly prioritized over ministers on the protocol list during Tinubu’s recent journey to Qatar.
“May we begin to ask, What do the president’s children do for a living? I don’t know specifically how old they are but looking at them, by the time I was their age, I was doing something concrete with my life. I got a PhD at 24. I wasn’t depending on any father,” he said.
He also rebuked Tinubu for selecting Yinka and Seyi to join his team on the recent Qatar visit, affording them diplomatic precedence over his ministers.
Between March 2nd and 3rd, 2024, the president’s sons, Seyi and Yinka, were part of the entourage accompanying the president on a state visit to Doha, Qatar.
Abati said, “What I am saying is that first Nigerians complain that they should not have been on that list, the issue raised there is that yes if their father is paying for them to be there, fine. I also raised the question if they have relevant qualifications, if they are business people in their own rights, they can bring investment and they will make contributions.
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“Then you will say they have a reason to be there, What I found disturbing in that video that we just showed, we just showed the order of protocol, I spent four years studying diplomacy. They were coming on the order of protocol before the minister of the Federal Republic, what are their roles there that they will be put before the minister?
He further noted, “People must get to a stage in their lives when they will hold themselves together, I don’t want adults behaving like invalids hanging around just because your father is in a position.
He remarked that all those children of privilege sometimes overdo it, mentioning that those were boys who would probably have wives at home. He added that some of those girls went through very embarrassing situations. He also said that one couldn’t have a husband just hanging around, unable to stand on his own two feet as a man.