I have watched the recent viral video of Oyo State All Progressive Congress governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli showing where he was caressing a student of the Polytechnic Ibadan who came to interview him along with his colleagues.
I digged further to know what could have made the interviewer to sit on the lap of interviewee and the long video revealed to me that there was no available space for him to seat as the room used for it was fulled to the brim.
At this stage, one will have expected one of the students that sat on a chair to sacrifice his chair for the interviewer since he is not doing anything. From another angle, one would also expect those managing the candidate to rearrange the room, but with the calibers of those I saw in the video, I am not sure that they will have the audacity, but those close to me know that I will rearrange the room as I try not to be overwhelmed when it comes to public affairs management and protocol.
Now back to the caressing of the interviewer, what Senator Sharafadeen Alli displayed is that of a “tactile talker.” A tactile talker tends to communicate or express themselves through touch and physical contact, and what this demonstrates is that Alli is a “FREE MAN”. He has impulsively adopted the student as his son. He has forgotten that the video is going public and it will be interpreted in many ways.
I have had opportunities to interview a high-profile personality in Oyo State. When I interviewed Oloye Adegboyega Adegoke in his office, I arranged the room with other people, we went together. I ensured I sat with him on the same chair as Main Interviewer not on his lap.
I have had opportunities to meet with Hon. Remi Oseni in his private seating room and when everyone seated and I had to quickly rearrange the seating arrangement and ensure that the person that lead us sat with him on the same chair. That is protocol. That is the standard. If you are not the one leading the conversation with your guest, don’t rush to sit close. Many people do this unconsciously but it behoove on us as Public Relations Professional to educate the public.
While I will not try to defend the action in the video one thing we should admit is that Senator Sharafadeen Alli is a “Free Man” who is fond of communicating by touching people close to him which I believe many people are on this table.
We are now in campaign season, so many minor mistakes will be hyped to the “world” as if we are all perfect, but it is what it is. Gbasgbos is allowed.
Peace be unto everyone.
OLAWOYIN Edris Busayo,anipr Public Relations Professional, writes via olawoyin4u@gmail.com, can be reached via07055443318
