Daily Independent Online.
*
Thursday, June 17, 2004.
I’ll not step down for IBB - Marwa
By ’Gbenga
Faturoti
Special
Correspondent,
Osogbo and Dele Moses
Special
Correspondent,
Ilorin
Determination was written all over the face
of the former military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig. General Buba Marwa,
when he declared that he would not step down for any other candidate when he
finally declares his presidential ambition.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in
Osogbo after a meeting with Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Marwa
hinted that he would not step down even for his former boss, General Ibrahim
Badamasi Babangida, who also has presidential ambition.
He said, “At 50 I cannot afford to
sacrifice my credibility for anybody’s presidential ambition. It is only
God who can decide anybody’s destiny.”
He denied reports that he is fronting for
the Babangida, saying, “I have to step up to something before I step
down. Have I stepped up?”
“I would soon make my position known on whether I have
presidential ambition or not in 2007. But everything is in the hand of
Allah,” he declared.
It was learnt that he was in Osogbo as part
of his nationwide consultations before he finally declare his ambition.
Also in Ilorin where he delivered a lecture
entitled Reflections on Governance in Nigeria at a lecture organised by the
Political Science Department of University of Ilorin, he stated that: “It
is what Almighty God has already destined I will do. If it is my destiny
nothing can change it. If it is not, nothing can change it. So, stand by,
before long I will make a definite statement”.
He said the ingredients of good governance
include the fear of God, honesty, dedication, disposition, discipline, firm in
decision, vision and planning, sense of justice and fair play, trust, loyalty
and capacity to take risk.
Marwa stated that dedication to duty, hardwork, commitment
and selfless service to the people is required of a good leader, adding that a
leader must be firm in decisions in order to achieve good governance.
