By Yeena Sanga

The recent impeachment of Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) as governor of Adamawa State obviously settles the crisis that has bedeviled the North-East state for some time now to a large extent. But as an indigene of the state, I am convinced by the facts on ground that we are yet to get over the challenges that led to the crisis that consumed Nyako. What am I saying? My state and, indeed, our state needs urgently a pragmatic leader who can mobilize human and material resources within and outside Adamawa to develop the state.

Marwa

As a stakeholder in Adamawa, I am therefore particularly happy when I read of the caliber of stakeholders that have shown interest in governing the state. Leading the pack with an edge is former military governor of Borno and Lagos states, General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), who, until recently, was also the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa.  Marwa is a man I have long admired from afar especially from his days as governor of Borno and Lagos.

His exploits and developmental initiatives have remained visible landmarks in those states till today. How that got me to make attempts to join the military then is a story for another day. It is to the credit of this brilliant Nigerian as governor of Lagos that the most popular means of transportation by the Nigerian masses in Lagos and other parts of the country today, the tricycle popularly called Keke Marwa, was brought into the country.

Till date, the General Hospitals he built in Borno state remain signposts of meaningful development. The security intervention squad that ended the reign of armed robbers in Lagos called ‘Operation Sweep’ remains in charge of the state security today under its new name ‘Rapid Response Squad’. Just as I was talking with friends within and outside  Adamawa  on the need for us to get  involved in the process of electing our next governor so that we will not pray  for the impeachment of the next one,  reports show that elected delegates of the PDP have started endorsing Marwa for the state  governorship in the election scheduled to hold in the next few weeks. All the 335 delegates of the party from all the 77 wards in Adamawa Central, about two weeks ago, gave their votes to Marwa in a pre-election endorsement.

Chairman of the PDP in the district, Alhaji Danjuma Iliyasu, who spoke at a meeting where Marwa was assured of the party’s ticket, said their decision was based on the former envoy’s records of service in Borno and Lagos states where he served as military governor. The party’s chieftain said it is the desire of everybody in Adamawa state to see such enviable performance replicated in Adamawa.

Days after the  Adamawa Central event, PDP delegates in Adamawa North  followed suit by throwing their weight behind Marwa. Secretary of the PDP in the Northern Senatorial Zone, Dr. Ayuba Tari, disclosed that about 90 per cent of the delegates who raised their hands in support of Marwa’s gubernatorial candidacy would do everything possible to ensure that he gets the ticket of the party to enable him emerge as the governor of the state because he is a tested and trusted administrator.

To cap it all, PDP delegates in Adamawa South Senatorial zone led by Hajiya Fatima Ornah raised their hands at an endorsement meeting with Marwa signifying their total support for the seasoned administrator. The gale of Marwa’s endorsements became more interesting when the retired general paid a courtesy call on the paramount ruler of Bachama Kingdom, Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen.

The royal father declared his absolute support for Marwa describing him as a man of impeccable character and the type of leader needed by Adamawa. The royal father reportedly said but for his present position, he would have been in the forefront of campaigns for Marwa.

In Numan to confer with the delegates from the southern senatorial district and visited his palace to seek his blessing as he seeks the governorship ticket of his party.
Where as the former Lagos governor has met the delegates in 226 poling units of the state and other stakeholders to secure their support for his gubernatorial ambition, my take on this gale of endorsements for Marwa is that he should not lose focus or get carried away by the mass of support coming his way.

It is a challenge to him that as our people have made commitments to thrust him with their mandate, they need him to replicate those wonders or miracles of modern day governance he performed in Borno and Lagos states.
This is also a note of warning to other stakeholders, the PDP and the people of Adamawa, it is only when the choice of the people is allowed that there can be development. That is practical democracy.

We have seen what imposition can cause in Nyako.  Adamawa must never take imposition again because the state needs to move forward and only an upwardly mobile and dynamic man of the people like Marwa can bring about the much needed change at this crucial juncture.

•Sanga, a lawyer, is based in Jimeta, Adamawa State