According to independent Nigeria, Chief Martin Onovo, a well-established activist and politician, has been a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. He was the presidential candidate for the National Conscience Party (NCP) in 2015 and currently serves as the Head of Policy Positions at the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC). Onovo, an expert in the oil sector, is also vocal on numerous national issues, including the challenges surrounding the minimum wage, the planned increase in telecommunications tariffs, and infrastructure concerns like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. His views offer insight into some of the most pressing issues in the country today.
Onovo is particularly concerned with the ongoing struggles faced by various Nigerian states in meeting their financial obligations, particularly in paying the national minimum wage. This issue has sparked debates across the country, with many state governments unable to pay workers the legally mandated wage due to dwindling revenues. Onovo points out that the inability of states to meet these obligations highlights broader economic problems, which include mismanagement of resources, corruption, and an overdependence on oil revenues. He emphasizes that the country needs to diversify its economy to ensure long-term financial stability and the ability to meet basic commitments to workers.
The planned hike in telecommunication tariffs is another issue that Onovo discusses. He views the increase as yet another burden on the Nigerian people, especially in an era where communication and data services have become essential for daily life, business, and education. Onovo questions the rationale behind the hike, particularly when many Nigerians are already struggling with the economic fallout from inflation and other financial pressures. He believes that such increases disproportionately affect the lower-income population, making it more difficult for them to stay connected and access vital services. This, according to Onovo, further deepens the gap between the rich and poor in the country.
Onovo also raises concerns about the ongoing state of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a crucial infrastructure project that has faced numerous delays and mismanagement. The highway, which is intended to boost trade and ease transportation between the southern and eastern parts of the country, has yet to be completed, leaving many communities disconnected and reliant on poor and dangerous road networks. Onovo stresses that the completion of such projects is essential for economic growth, especially in regions that have been marginalized by poor infrastructure. He attributes the delays to a lack of proper planning, oversight, and accountability within the government.
Another issue Onovo addresses is the implementation of the Cybercrimes Law by the government and the police. He expresses concerns about the way the law has been applied, particularly in high-profile cases involving individuals such as Dele Farotimi and Omoyele Sowore. Onovo believes that the law is being misused by the police, who are leveraging its provisions to suppress dissent and target individuals critical of the government. He argues that the law, which was intended to combat cybercrimes, is being used as a tool to stifle free speech and silence opposition, a practice that he believes runs counter to the principles of a democratic society.
The way in which the Cybercrimes Law has been enforced reflects broader issues with the conduct of the police in Nigeria. Onovo asserts that the police, rather than upholding the law impartially, are exploiting their power to suppress voices they view as challenging the status quo. In his view, this abuse of power is disguised as the enforcement of the Cybercrimes Law, a move that undermines the rule of law and further erodes trust between the police and the Nigerian public. Onovo contends that this trend is dangerous for the future of Nigeria, as it erodes the freedoms that are central to any democratic society.
He said: It is not the Cybercrimes Law that is being implemented, The Police are simply abusing their powers while trying to cover their abuses with the Cybercrimes Law.