LAGOS, Federal Republic of Nigeria (Excerpts of interview with Engr Martin Onovo, NCP presidential candidate by Gbenga Arowolo, Musa Abubakar, and Eseme Etim-Henshaw)
What is your primary occupation?
Engr Onovo: I am a consultant engineer; member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
You are the presidential candidate on the platform of the National Conscience Party. How did you emerge?
Engr Onovo: I emerged presidential candidate through an election – transparent, free, fair, secret ballot election – under full view of party delegates and representatives of Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC]. I won with 72%.
What is/are you plan(s) on power [supply of electricity]?
Engr Onovo: I am an energy expert. I studied petroleum engineering at the University of Ibadan and petroleum engineering economics at the University of Houston, Texas. NCP-led government will DOUBLE power generation, transmission and distribution in less than 3 years via a $9bn investment. Prior to arriving at this amount, we conducted extensive research, held discussion with several experts, and we perused a range of data, including data from NERC (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission). NERCs data asserts $1.5bn per 1,000 megawatts. By our faultless estimation, at this moment, a $9bn investment would DOUBLE power generation, transmission and distribution in less than 3 years.
What is your view on fuel subsidy?
Engr Onovo: Using the cost analysis similar to that of the American Petroleum Institute (API), and taking into consideration the summation of all the cost components of producing premium motor spirit (petrol), from exploration and production to refining and to the end-user, we submit that, this day, the price of PMS (fuel) should not exceed NGN50.00 per litre. An NCP-led government will REDUCE fuel price by increasing domestic refining capacity. An NCP-led government will demolish and rebuild any refinery that is beyond repair or beyond maintenance. NCP-led government will bring an end to crude oil theft.
Could you briefly enlighten Nigerians on the Nigerian economy?
Engr Onovo: As at 2013, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] figure was over $500bn. Gross Domestic Product is measured in terms of the monetary value of finished goods and services. Economic stability is checked against the rate of inflation, national output, etc. Productivity is the key to growing the economy. NCP government will increase economic productivity and physical productivity. In order to promote, enhance productivity, we have pledged to solve Nigeria’s energy problems – DOUBLE power generation, transmission and distribution within 3 years by investing only $9bn; MINIMISE all sorts of waste; INCREASE minimum wage by reducing maximum wage; rapidly DEVELOP non-oil sectors, such as, agriculture, education, building and construction, telecommunication.
Nigeria’s total public debt as at 31 December 2014 is over $70bn [13 trillion naira]. This means that Nigeria is approaching a debt crisis. NCP-led government will establish and sustain accountability and fiscal discipline. We will operate responsibly.
How can you and your party keenly compete given ‘little’ resources available to you and your party when compared to PDP or APC?
Engr Onovo: NCP does not finance campaign with illicit funds or proceeds of corruption, or money stolen from taxpayers. NCP does not buy votes, voters, and followers. Our strength has always been people-based. Our supporters are not commercial people. Our adherents are volunteers making selfless sacrifices.
How will an NCP-led government deal with INSECURITY?
Engr Onovo: Our land has become a base for terrorists, criminals who kill every other day. The primary reason Boko Haram is on our land is that the Nigerian government is not seriously bothered about the security of lives and property within its territory. NCP-led government will etch in stone a robust security structure. NCP-led government will provide adequate and appropriate welfare and weapons to the Nigerian armed forces. The NCP will establish and sustain a first-class security system in line with international best practices. The security system that we propose will indicate scope, work processes, expectations, corrective action capabilities, feedback systems. This security system will incorporate surveillance system, monitoring system, and intelligence system. Nigerian armed forces will be motivated.
How will an NCP-led government deal with CORRUPTION?
Engr Onovo: Our corruption strategy is known as the 4Es, namely: Example, Empowerment, Education, and Enforcement. NCP-led government will support anti-corruption agencies to ensure that they function efficiently. We will EMPOWER our people through welfare, employment, orientation, thereby discouraging corrupt practices. We will RAISE minimum wage [by reducing maximum wage] to close inequality gap. We will lead by example.
Nigeria does not seem to be operating efficiently, what do you have to say about this?
Engr Onovo: Nigeria is super-rich in human and material resources, but very poor in economic terms due to corruption, poor governance, and incompetent leadership. When NCP government is installed, we will control corruption and establish good governance. The Nigerian people should elect competent, ethical, smart, trustworthy characters to leadership positions; otherwise the trouble with Nigeria would persist. Nigeria can CHANGE this 2015: From wrong to Right; insecurity to Security; unemployment to full Employment; evil to Good; mass deceit to Veracity; indiscipline to Discipline; under-development to Development; darkness to Light; abuse of power to Service; violence to Peace, hypocrisy to good Example; injustice to Justice; corruption to Integrity. This is the CHANGE we propose and announce.
Muhammadu Buhari’s adherents argue that he is incorruptible. Jonathan’s supporters say he should be re-elected for continuity, do you think that Gani would have preferred any of this two?
Engr Onovo: Chief Gani Fawehinmi, founder of NCP, would have wondered why a man [Buhari] who says he will fight corruption is working with some of the most corrupt politicians in Nigeria. He would have opted for a younger person who has the energy and vision to lead our country out of the abyss. Also, Chief Gani Fawehinmi would have supported the candidate of the National Conscience Party that was born from the struggle of the masses. Buhari’s certificate issue is still unresolved. Eminent lawyers have argued that Buhari lied under oath; so Buhari seem to have committed perjury. Several eminent lawyers have reasoned that Buhari could be jailed if found guilty of perjury. Dr Goodluck Jonathan has spent approximately 6 years in office, yet he is unable to fulfil over 95% of his pre-election pledge. Jonathan raised funds in violation of several election finance laws. I think Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan should quit presidential race. Nigerians should reject Buhari and Jonathan; perhaps ask the two candidates to quit presidential race.
You appear very confident; you speak like someone who believes that he would win 2015 presidential elections. You seem religious. You seem accomplished, fulfilled. Why do you believe your party will win 2015 presidential elections?
Engr Onovo: NCP is distinct being the oldest party in Nigeria; founded by Chief Gani Fawehinmi in 1994. We have a good name, integrity, a good brand, a great legacy, competent and trustworthy candidates. Nigerians are, obviously, tired of old, recycled, failed leaders. NCP is the party that can solve Nigeria’s complex problems.
Excerpts from answers provided by Engr Martin Onovo on other questions put to him.
Engr Onovo:
(1) “I will lead by example. NCP is ready to lead Nigeria by example. I am ready. NCP will fulfil its promises to the Nigerian people.”
(2) “NCP will REVOLUTIONISE Nigeria in less than 3 years; resources to achieve this abound.”
(3) “NCP will MINIMISE waste, such as fleet of presidential jets & pointless foreign trips…”
(4) “NCP will EXPEL Boko Haram from Nigeria’s territory; our land is not a base for terrorists”
(5) “NCP government will RAISE minimum wage by reducing maximum wage to close inequality gap”
(6) “Corrupt rulers are destructive. Nigeria used to be a regional power. NCP can RESTORE pride of our armed forces”
(7) “Nigeria can REFINE crude oil at home, and REDUCE fuel price… With current numbers, fuel price should not exceed NGN50 as at this moment”
(8) “NCP will SOLVE our energy problems in less than 3 years; resources to achieve this abound”
(9) “NCP will DOUBLE power output in less than 3 years via a $9 billion investment”
(10) “NCP will CHECKMATE insecurity; CARRY OUT rapid infrastructural development; UPHOLD primary health care; adequately FUND research units in tertiary institution”
Report by Gbenga Arowolo, Musa Abubakar, and Eseme Etim-Henshaw.
