by Alexander O. Onukwue

President Buhari is recuperating well and will be back in the country soon, according to Prof Osinbajo.

The Acting President’s surprise trip to London was done and dusted within a matter of hours, catching some somewhat unawares. Prof Osinbajo has returned to the country, presiding over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

It has not been more than 48 hours since the media space was filled with comments and reactions pertaining to the First Lady’s comments about those who did not want the Lion to return to the palace. Mrs Buhari said God has answered the prayers of the weaker animals and that Buhari’s imminent return will herald the exit of some of the predators.

As if to give weight to what she said, Osinbajo, in his press conference before the FEC meeting, said that he and the President did not discuss the matter of swearing-in Ministers. That could be read as meaning that they discussed the matters of Ministers in the first place, and by extension possibly, other staff and members of the President’s team.

Mrs Buhari has, for long, raised concerns over some of those who have been working with her husband, tagging them as being against him. For some reason, she has not had the kind of influence previous First Ladies have had in the politics of Aso Rock. Not the type wielded by Turai Yar’Adua when President Yar’Adua was in critical health condition, and certainly she has not had the theatrical (read comical) appeal of Dame Patience Jonathan.

What she has possibly done, however, is rouse the Acting President to bulldoze through the cabal to confirm for her that the President is in good condition and that he will be back soon. She will be particularly satisfied that they spoke for over an hour.

Osinbajo has made the point of addressing issues immediately as they arise, visiting places like Maiduguri a day after a bombing occurred while continuing consultations with Elders’ Forums from North to South on the ethnic tensions in the country. A less-than-one-day Presidential trip to London for the First Lady would not have been too much to do.

Editor