NCP's Martin Onovo - The Man Nigerians Would Vote If They Truly Wanted Change

If Nigeria was a different clime with a sincere longing for change, the name Martin Onovo would have become a household name after his performance at the NEDG Presidential debate on Sunday.

Onovo , presidential aspirant of the National Conscience Party (NCP) on Sunday wowed many young Nigerians with his eloquence and fine grasp of the issues plaguing the nation. Onovo's performance has been
likened to that of Nick Clegg who from nowhere became British Deputy prime minister due to his performance during the election debate that brought David Cameron to office. Cameron learnt from that and has backed out of any meaningful debate this time round. It was probably a good thing Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC was not at the debate.

The NCP candidate who is a second timer in the presidential race easily reminds you of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos during the last Lagos State Gubernatorial election held in 2011.

Despite his glaring brilliance, Onovo's chances of winning Nigeria's Saturday elections are very slim as he's presently not considered one of the top choices. His campaign has been clearly underfunded and the arrangement of the power brokers does not favour him.

Onovo's campaign has been issue based. Just like Buhari, Onovo believes that eradicating corruption is the first step in rebuilding Nigeria. However, unlike Buhari he has practical steps on how corruption can be eradicated - Education, Example, Empowerment and Enforcement. 

• His campaign is hinged on 5 promises:
• He will do what is right consistently
• He will lead by example, he won't impose austerity measures on Nigerians and live in ostentation
• With only $9billion he'll double power supply to Nigerians in two and half years
• He'll reduce fuel price by stopping importation and increasing domestic refining capacity
• Onovo says he'll increase the minimum wage by decreasing the maximum wage

While Nigerians try to choose between 'change' and 'transformation', it is important for them to spare a minute and ponder on Onovo's message and maybe add one more name to their possible choices. If nothing else it sends the message of a real change to all parties.