In an insightful interview with Sunday Sun, Martin Onovo, an activist, petroleum engineer, and 2015 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), shared his perspective on the persistent issue of illegal mining in Nigeria. Onovo also provided his views on the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, offering advice on what steps should be taken to end illegal mining and address broader issues of insecurity and governance.
Onovo expressed concern over the link between insecurity and illegal mining activities, particularly in regions such as Zamfara. He explained that insecurity is not merely a cover for illegal mining operations but a key enabler. “Illegal mining inherently creates insecurity. To control mining areas, original inhabitants must be displaced, and illegal miners resort to terrorism and banditry to achieve this,” Onovo said. Drawing a comparison to the official relocation of the Finima people in Bonny for the NLNG project, Onovo emphasized that illegal miners do not follow official procedures and instead create turmoil to gain access to mining areas.
He also highlighted the longstanding conflict between Hausa farmers and Fulani herders, which he believes is orchestrated by the latter to facilitate illegal mining activities. Onovo argued that this manufactured insecurity provides a convenient cover for illegal operations to thrive.
Government’s Response to Illegal Mining
When asked about the government’s response to illegal mining compared to its actions against illegal refineries, Onovo suggested that the administration under Tinubu lacked moral authority. He pointed out that illegal miners often have foreign partners providing significant firepower, making it difficult for local security forces to effectively combat them. “The military can develop appropriate strategies to reclaim mining areas if they have the political will,” Onovo stated, criticizing the government for its lack of action on this front.
Onovo emphasized the need for a coordinated strategy to reclaim Nigeria’s mining territories, though he attributed the delay to the political will and leadership capacity of the current administration. He was clear in his view that the lack of commitment from the government has allowed illegal mining to persist unchecked.
The Role of the Military and the Laws Governing Mining
Onovo also addressed questions about the legal framework surrounding mining. He argued that illegal mining operates outside the law and that the military should be allowed to use any safe means necessary to take control of mining sites. He dismissed any distinction between the laws governing oil extraction and solid mineral extraction, suggesting that the real issue was the government’s lack of sincerity and willpower to address the problem.
“The military can act to reclaim these areas if they are given the right mandate. The issue is the political will to do so,” he reiterated.
Corruption and Political Instability
Onovo was also asked to respond to claims by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that some retired and serving military officials were involved in illegally transporting Nigeria’s minerals abroad. Onovo confirmed that such activities had been reported for years, particularly with the use of aircraft by illegal miners. While he acknowledged the claims, he again attributed the persistence of these activities to the lack of effective government intervention.
He also expressed concern about the political instability caused by the current administration, particularly with the way opposition parties are being destabilized. Onovo agreed with the view that President Tinubu’s leadership, along with that of his political party, had contributed to the fragmentation of opposition parties, citing the internal conflict within the PDP and Labour Party.
Prospects for the 2027 Election
Onovo was optimistic about the future of opposition parties, especially in the context of the 2027 presidential elections. He argued that the Labour Party, which he believed had won the 2023 elections by a wide margin, still had a strong chance of victory in a free and fair election. However, Onovo expressed concern about the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), fearing that electoral fraud could once again undermine the process.
The State of the Nation
Onovo did not hold back in his assessment of the Tinubu administration. He described it as a “catastrophic failure,” citing its inability to improve security, its mismanagement of the economy, and the deepening corruption. He highlighted the skyrocketing public debt, unemployment, and inflation as signs of the administration’s failures. According to Onovo, the current government had caused Nigeria to fall from the largest economy in Africa to one of the worst governed countries on the continent.
