The usual flurry of activities around the the presidential villa in Aso Rock is fast disappearing as political activities have shifted to the residence of the President-elect Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu since his returned to the country on Monday after a four-week vacation in France. He left the country on March 21st,this year.

The private residence of Asiwaju Tinubu at Asokoro area of Abuja has been a beehive of activities welcoming the high and mighty in the country as well as playing host to party supporters and hangers on. It was like the crowd that came to welcome him from France had refused to disperse.

The residence has been playing host to different meetings scheduled and unscheduled as well as courtesy visits on the President-elect. However, the President-elect on Wednesday shifted base to Defence House, the official residence of the President – elect and Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President-elect their temporary abode until the inauguration of May 29.

The issue of leadership of the National Assembly as well as jostling for ministerial positions have dominated discussions before the President-elect traveled abroad, and since he returned to the country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to officially resolved on the issue of offices especially the leadership of the National Assembly but the Party leadership and some state governors have been visiting the President-elect. Sources close to Senator Tinubu said the in-coming President only rested for few hours before he started having meetings with party leaders.

In addition to the meeting with APC leadership, it was gathered that aspirants to the position of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have been visiting him in a bid to secure his endorsement.

However, not everything and everyone that visited the President-Elect has political colouration. For example, the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was one of the few personalities that visited the Asokoro home of Senator Tinubu. But, the meeting of the duo was behind closed doors and no official statement was issued.

The mood in the Defence House, official residence of Senators Tinubu and Shettima became more lively and warm when the President-Elect got a message from United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of his inauguration.

Mr. Sunak in the letter said he “looks forward to working” with Tinubu who won the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February. The UK Prime Minister said he hopes to welcome Senator Tinubu to London in April 2024 for the second Africa Investment Summit.

According to him, the summit will be a “key moment” to strengthen UK-Nigerian business partnerships “in order to create jobs and growth, increase bilateral trade and investment, and support your aim of boosting Nigeria’s export competitiveness”.

The UK, he said will continue to support Nigeria in addressing its security challenges through the sharing of expertise and tools.

“The UK has been a longstanding partner of Nigeria and we stand ready to support your efforts to build peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria. The UK Government welcomed the opportunity to hear your priorities when you met the Minister of State for Development and Africa last year. I am proud of our work supporting access to education and healthcare, improving governance, and helping meet the humanitarian needs of those affected by conflict.

“Together, we can expand our partnership further, including by strengthening our trade and investment relationship for the mutual prosperity of both our countries through an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.

“I also hope to continue our work in addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria and the wider region. Such challenges are not limited by borders; it is vital that we share expertise and tools to combat them. The National Security Adviser looks forward to further dialogue with your National Security Adviser later this year.

“The deep bond between our two nations comes not only from our shared heritage and the links between our people, including through education, the arts, and sport, but also our unique relationship through the Commonwealth.

“We can take pride in its values of democracy, good governance and cooperation. Through this forum, we will continue working in partnership to tackle global challenges like climate change, with its unique impact on Nigeria and your wider region, I believe our shared leadership on this can play a vital role.”

Mr. Sunak promised that his government will continue liaising with Senator Tinubu and his team “through the transition period and following your inauguration”.