Marwa Reveals How Military Tried To Block Tinubu’s Lagos Governorship
By MELVIN KOFFA
Marwa Opens Up on Military Resistance to Tinubu’s Governorship
BRIGADIER General Buba Marwa (rtd.), NDLEA Chairman, has disclosed that the military hierarchy initially opposed Bola Tinubu’s rise to the Lagos State governorship because of his pro-democracy activism with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). Marwa revealed this during a keynote address at the Abuja presentation of Buni Boy, a book by the late legal luminary Niyi Ayoola-Daniels.
Marwa, who served as Lagos Military Administrator, recounted that despite pressure from the top brass to block Tinubu, he chose to conduct a free and fair election, which ultimately allowed Tinubu to emerge as governor. “After seeing Senator Bola Tinubu’s strong campaign and popularity, the military hierarchy instructed me to prevent him from winning, but I chose to respect the democratic process,” he said.
In his address, Marwa also reflected on Nigeria’s diversity as a national asset rather than a burden. Drawing from his personal experiences — from his primary education across multiple cities to his military career spanning over three decades — he highlighted how inter-ethnic fellowship and shared identity shaped his understanding of unity in diversity. He praised Lagosians for supporting his administration despite federal-level tensions, which encouraged him to ensure a transparent election.
Marwa stressed that Nigeria’s challenges should inspire repair of societal fault lines rather than division. On the book presentation, he lauded the late author’s widow for preserving Ayoola-Daniels’ legacy, noting the narrative reflects the values of justice, duty, and national cohesion.
His revelations provide a rare glimpse into the interplay between military influence and democratic evolution in Nigeria, underscoring the historic significance of Tinubu’s governorship in Lagos.
