Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has revealed that he resisted attempts by the military hierarchy to block then Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu from emerging governor of Lagos State during the 1999 election.
Marwa made the revelation while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of “Buni Boy”, a book authored by the late legal luminary Niyi Ayoola-Daniels, held in Abuja on Saturday. He said the overwhelming support he received from Lagosians encouraged him to conduct a credible poll despite pressure from top military authorities.
According to the former Lagos Military Administrator, although then Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar did not interfere in the election, senior military figures attempted to influence the outcome due to Tinubu’s strong pro-democracy activism and involvement in NADECO, the leading opposition force to military rule.
“After seeing the then Senator Bola Tinubu’s strong campaign and popularity, the military hierarchy instructed me to prevent him from emerging governor because of his pro-democracy activism… But I chose to conduct a free and fair election that produced the most popular candidate as governor of Lagos State. The rest today is history,” Marwa said.
Marwa also reflected on national unity, asserting that Nigeria’s diversity may have been mismanaged over the years, but this should not be used to promote division or separatism.
“Nigeria may have its peculiar challenges, but these difficulties cannot justify any idea of tearing the nation apart. Our challenges should instead push us to repair the fault lines and pursue greater inclusion,” he stated.
His comments offer a rare insider glimpse into the political tensions surrounding the transition to civilian rule and the electoral path that launched Tinubu into the Lagos governorship.