Marwa Dumps PDP
Former military governor of Lagos and Bauchi states, Buba Marwa, has joined the list of prominent stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Huhuonline.com learnt that the former military officer and currently Nigeria's Ambassador to South Africa, today tendered his resignation of his office in order to contest for the governorship position of Adamawa, his home state.
Marwa, who in 2007 contested the presidential primaries under the PDP and lost to the late Umar Yar'Adua, said he was seeking to be governor to save the state from drowning in the hands of the current governor, Murtala Nyako.
Though he has not mentioned any party under which he would like to pitch his tent, it is certain he is seeking to run for elections under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Marwa, who this morning flagged off his campaign in Adamawa state, said his move to edge out Governor Nyako out of office has been tagged 'operation sweep'.
"The people have seen what I have been able to do as a state governor both in Borno and Lagos.
"We did over 700 roads in Lagos and we will do this through direct labour in Adamawa.
"We will encourage scholarship and give out free text books, build new schools and totally revamp the education system in Adamawa.
"There will be efficient housing and transport services.
The move to sweep Nyako out of the seat is called 'operation sweep.'
Gen. Marwa said the PDP congress in the state was handled controversially because the governor was afraid of him.
Some PDP chieftains who have so far left the party include former governor Achike Udenwa, Ifeanyi Araraume, former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, and former head of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe.
Mohamed Buba Marwa was born on September 9, 1953 in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
He attended the Nigerian Military School in Maria and the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.
Marwa has an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Pittsburg and an M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University.
He has served Nigeria as a troop leader, a squadron captain, a squadron leader, a Deputy Assistant Adjutant/Quartermaster-General and a Brigade Major (23 Armoured Brigade).
At the Nigeria Army headquarters, he served as Staff Officer (SO) under various army units and formations including 'Army Equipment', 'Fighting Vehicles' and Staff Duties/Plans (Department of Armour). He also had the privilege of serving as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to one time Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma (retd).
He was the academic registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy and as a Lieutenant Colonel, he served as the Deputy Defence Adviser (Army) in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
He was recalled from this position in 1990 to serve as the Governor of Borno State.
In 1992, Buba Marwa became the Defence Adviser to the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations before being recalled again, this time to govern Lagos State.
Upon retirement from the army, Gen. Marwa founded Albarka Airlines and the Buba Marwa Endowment. He is married to Mrs. Munira Marwa and has four children.