On Wednesday, November 1, 2017, Chief of Staff (CoS) Abba Kyari and Head of Service (HoS) Winifred Oyo-Ita, engaged themselves in a debate so heated, the video of that exchange trended on social media 48 hours after.
It was just before the weekly federal executive council meeting.
Only lip readers could discern what they were saying, but you immediately knew from the body language that it wasn’t a pretty conversation.
Oyo-Ita pouted and hissed, even folding her arms at one point. She was sore displeased and enraged.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo did his best to hear both parties out, but Oyo-Ita would walk out on him and Babagana Monguno (National Security Adviser) moments later—refusing to be pacified or cajoled.
The exchange between the HoS and CoS arrived just days after Abdulrasheed Maina, the wanted fugitive who allegedly scammed pensioners of billions of naira back in 2013, was reinstated into the federal civil servicewith a promotion to boot.
The letter from the HoS to the CoS wherein she stated that she had informed President Muhammadu Buhari of Maina’s reinstatement, suddenly found its way to the press.
Those of us who major in reading lips (Ok, that was a joke) immediately knew that Oyo-Ita was taking Kyari on over the leak.
That was a week ago.
Today, November 8, 2017, Oyo-Ita is having a good laugh on Kyari’s shoulders, her head thrown backwards. She's radiant and he's all smiles.
Broad smiles.
They may have played this one very well for the cameras and journalists in the council chamber, but it’s refreshing to see no less.
Two members of the president’s kitchen cabinet ‘kissing and making up’ barely a week after they almost threw punches at the other, is always good news for our nascent democracy.
Don’t you agree?