Recommends Marwa for defense minister
President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the South East, Dr Josef Onoh has urged the President to scrap the office of the minister of state for Defence and appoint the Chairman/Chief Executive of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) as the next minister for Defence.
Onoh said that the office of the Minister of State for Defence has become unnecessary because of the strategic importance of the office of the Ministry of Defense, which he averred has no need for duplication of the position.
He noted that security is a very delicate matter which makes it imperative that an experienced security expert, technocrat and statesman such as General Marwa should assume leadership of the position and allow unrestricted control of the security situation in Nigeria.
He stated that the security of nations is better superintended upon by men of Marwa’s training other than civilians, noting that the Marwa laid the foundation upon which President Tinubu rested to further develop Lagos as Governor.
He therefore pleaded with President Tinubu to consider Marwa as Minister of Defence in his next cabinet reshuffle, recalling that the drug czar held several command and staff appointments in the Nigerian Army, including Deputy Defense Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC.
Onoh further recalled that Marwa as a renowned public administrator was appointed Military Governor of old Borno State during a very challenging period when Idriss Deby, erstwhile rebel, seized power from President Hisen Habre, thereby dislodging members of the Chadian Army, some of who went rogue and carried out raids across the border into Borno State but repelled by Marwa.
“In Borno, Marwa created the first Ministry of Water Resources and by direct labour, the state undertook the construction of roads and completed the Maiduguri International Hotel.
“In August 1996, he was appointed Military Administrator of Lagos State. His three-year tenure in the state was accompanied by strategic programmes. The feats were achieved on a strict budget of N14billion. Marwa, who did not borrow from any bank throughout his tenure, handed over a cash amount of N2 billion―the highest amount handed over from one state administration to another.
“His exemplary leadership earned him ‘Nigeria’s Man of the Year 1997’ by Newswatch, Nigeria’s oldest and most influential weekly magazine. During his administration, he implemented programs such as ‘Operation 250 Roads’ which greatly improved motoring conditions.
“He revamped public health institutions and ensured that free malaria treatment was available to all. His administration upgraded infrastructure in poor neighbourhoods. He proclaimed an edict to regulate rents, stopping the ‘Jankara’ method of eviction of tenants and ensuring that due process was followed.
“Marwa became well respected in Lagos because of ‘Operation Sweep’, a joint police and military venture that helped reduce Lagos’ notorious crime rate. In February 1998, Buba Marwa said on Nigerian state radio and television that unknown persons were trying to assassinate him, and that he and his entourage had been the target of several bomb attacks, starting in 1996. He said that he would not be intimidated.
“He imposed fuel rationing in Lagos State in an attempt to tackle petrol shortages and reduce chronic queuing at petrol stations. He opened a new asphalt plant in Lagos, the largest in Nigeria.
I don’t know the General nor have any relationship with him aside from exchanging brief pleasantries at the lobby of the Raddison Blue Ikeja sometime in 2022 but his record speaks volumes.
“This crucial period is not a time to play politics with the security of the nation and it’s totally unwise to have a civilian take charge of such a delicate ministry hence it’s important we always tell the president the truth even if it will cost our political benefits as the cabinet reshuffle of the President will ultimately determine his future hence he needs individuals he can trust who are committed to him, who’s life, investments and hearts are in Nigeria and not Dubai.
“Since 2021, when Marwa was appointed the chairman of NDLEA, he has led a significant campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, initiated nationwide campaigns against drug abuse, focusing on youth and community outreach to address the rising issue of substance abuse in the country and has made record-breaking seizures of illicit drugs.
“Finally, I urge the president to beware of his political choices in the southeast, don’t make appointments on recommendations of the governors, be extremely meticulous with the people you appoint because 90 per cent of all South easterners are disappointed with your government and the ones you appointed failed to showcase your achievements in the region.
“The APC in the southeast is the most divided and unstable party in Africa because the leaders are extremely selfish and more interested in what they can get from you rather than promote you as they have shown in the scramble for positions in the South East Development Commission (SEDC) which you just established.
“May I remind the president of a yoruba saying “Nikan ọkunrin ti o jẹ ninu awo ounjẹ kanna pẹlu rẹ ti o ba gbẹkẹle ko ni majele fun ọ!,” Onoh advised.