Buba Marwa must be a honourable man. Having failed at becoming governor of Adamawa state, the ex-military officer sought solace in the wisdom of the ancients, which counsels tact and native intelligence in the face of odds – odds of a political nature to be precise.
Like the quintessential elder statesman who is faced with conflict between love for country and insatiable ambition, he has decided to retrieve his hat from the political ring; rather than jostle for political office and power, Marwa has decided to tow the path of honour by retiring to the bench to contribute his quota to national development, as an elder statesman.
However, Marwa reacted to the brilliant article, “My Picture of the Week”, in ThisDay Newspaper today. The great article was written by the extravagantly talented leader writer, the Publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Dr. Dele Momodu. The article was about the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. People who know him well never got tired of purring odes about him on account of this powerful article. And it’s no doubt that they are right on that account. Dele made new friends today and converted new disciples.
According to Marwa, “This is a fantastic piece Dele. Fantastic. We have yet to see a vice (Ag) President of the ilk and pedigree, intellect and productive talent of Prof Osibanjo. He is simply far and away from all his predecessors. And also a man of God to boot. I read the article on social media you spoke about – and the timely rebuttal. It was clear to me that the Nigerian factor was at work , once you are doing the right thing be sure that the phd (pull him down) syndrome will be at play. I suffered it in Lagos from my military superiors. You suffered it too. I remember one of the editions of ovation which some people took great exception to : was it an abacha family wedding or something? But Ovation magazine is not a critique or political magazine. It focuses on celebrating the positive side of celebrities using photographs to maximum effect. If You want to read bad things about people, search elsewhere. So that is Nigeria. I saw the cross river picture with the child clasped to the president’s welcoming bosom – it was like a father and son embrace: Can you beat that?
Thank you for your piece this Saturday Dele. Most timely and encouraging. The best is yet to come from Osinbajo – just wait and see….Insha Allah”.
However, the former military administrator of Lagos may henceforth participate in politics only as a member of an inestimable think-tank unlike many military men, whose enduring images are those of brutality and rigidity, Buba Marwa was well loved by the majority of Lagosians during his time as the state’s numero uno. Operation Sweep, which he launched during his time as governor had helped to rid the state of criminal elements, while the impact of his Operation 250 Roads is still felt today on the numerous roads he helped to build or repair.
Since his retirement from military service, Marwa has concentrated more on his home state of Adamawa. Although he has repeatedly been frustrated in his governorship bid by the powers that be, he remains a loyal servant in the background, helping the state government with his experience in the art of governance.
