OVER 20, 000 IDPs VOTE IN 2019 GENERAL ELECTION IN BENUE- BENUE NGO

Over 20, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State voted in the 23rd February and 9th March 2019 general election. However, a Benue based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative (CLHEI) has called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) voting framework to address gaps that contradict the Electoral Act."

The call is part of the recommendation by the NGO in its 

report on the participation of IDPs in the state in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

In a statement read by the Executive Director of CLHEI Dr. Helen Teghtegh, the NGO also called on INEC to "implement to the latter, the elements of the framework

for IDPs voting by creating voting points in the IDPs camps; INEC and relevant stakeholders to develop a logistic plan to ensure IDPs in far communities are transported to the voting centres to avoid manipulation by political actors; INEC to review the IDP voting framework to address gaps that contradict the Electoral Act; Government to make plans to return IDPs to their original

communities to address voter apathy and encourage active participation of IDPs in the political process."

CLHEI also called for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to be given sufficient time (about 4 months) by donors to

implement any campaign to ensure success is achieved and impact of the campaign felt by recipients.

The NGO's Executive Director, who expressed delight that "for the first time, INEC has come out with a framework for voting by IDPs," added that her organisation is "confident that IDPs being involved in the process of electing leaders are now positioned to hold them accountable on their stewardship."

According to (Benue) State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), there are 483,699 IDPs in the state with a little over 23,317 of the IDPs (within 9 camps) and more of the IDPs within the host communities having Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

And to ensure that this number vote in this year's general election, the NGO with support from National Democratic Institute (NDI) moved into the camps and communities hosting IDPs with Voter Education (VE) and Get Out The Vote (GOTV).

Dr. Teghtegh told a press conference that "in order to get relevant stakeholders to eliminate barriers to IDPs voting, CLHEI brought together stakeholders like Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), the Police, National Orientation Agency (NOA), the press and political parties to discuss issues around creating voting points for IDPs, collection of PVCs and insecurity. 

"CLHEI secured stakeholders commitments to address the issues identified and create an enabling environment for IDPs to participate in the general election. Although the period for the implementation of the campaign was barely two months, however, CLHEI succeeded in making stakeholders accountable to their commitments."

CLHEI said there was low turn out at the poll and blame it on lack of logistic plan to convey IDP voters from the nine camps in the state and back to their communities on the election day to vote as mandated by INEC.

The NGO further blamed the development on "the short timeframe to implement the IDPs VE campaign as well as on "IDPs who lost their PVCs" and "did not know how to get another one and so were disenfranchised from voting."

Meanwhile, Dr. Teghtegh has commended "the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Benue state for his unflinching support for the campaign and tireless efforts to ensure Benue IDPs participated in the 2019 general elections."

She also commended "the Inter Party Advisory

Committee (IPAC) Chairman, the royal fathers and other stakeholders for their contribution in mobilizing IDPs to vote during the elections. Finally, we appreciate the National Democratic Institute (NDI), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Kingdom Aid (UKAID) for their support in facilitating Benue IDPs' participation in the electoral process."

APGA Represents Alternative Force to the other Parties: Gen. Gbor

2019 Benue Governorship: John Gbor makes case for Tseayo

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance in last week's first round of general elections in Nigeria Gen. John Gbor (rtd), has called on the people of the state to come out enmass on Saturday and vote John Aondohemba Tseayo as Governor of Benue State.

Gen. Gbor, who made the call during high level talks with the people of Gwer East at Ikpayongo, a burstling town in Benue North West Senatorial District also thanked the people of the state for casting their votes for him and other APGA candidates in last week's election.

He explained that All Progressives Grand Alliance represents alternative force to the other parties that have oportunities in the past to deliver good governance to Nigerians but have instead fail the people.

In his address to the people, Tseayo said it is part of his plans to ensure that at the end of four years, if voted into power as Governor of Benue State, his government would have produced 300, 000 millionaires through agriculture noting that a rocky land like Israel cannot be boasting of producing more food than Benue State that is blessed with fertile soil suitable for crops and fruits production.

He emphasised that his government will support and encourage production of dollar spinning crops like cassava, sesame and soyabeans saying money realised as a result of his planned agricultural revolution will be channeled for improved funding in health, education, infrastructural development, welfare and security, thereby opening the way for economic boom in the state.

He also talked of revisiting the Prof Justin Tseayo report on creation of Local Development Authorities in the state with the view to implementing it so as to bring government closer to the people.

During the meeting, the people of Gwer East reiterated their commitment to working for All Progressives Grand Alliance to come out victorious in the Saturday Governorship and State House of Assembly election in Benue State.

Personal Data Of Maj Gen.W.T. Gbor

PERSONAL DATA OF MAJOR GENERAL JOHN GBOR (rtd)

Maj Gen. Gbor

Name:   Major General John W. T. Gbor (rtd)

Date of Birth: 30 December 1948

Place of Birth: Anber, Katsina Ala Local Government, Benue State.

Local Government: Katsina Ala

State: Benue

Nationality: Nigerian

Permanent Address: General Gbor’s Residence, Anber, Katsina Ala Local Government, Benue State, Nigeria.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED

Indiana University, USA 1981-1983

Indiana University, USA 1986-1991

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 1971-1974

Government College, Keffi 1969-1970

Government Sec. School, Katsina Ala 1964-1968

Senior Primary School, Jato Aka 1960-1963

Junior Primary School, Ngibo 1955-1959

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Ph. D. Anthropology, Indiana University, USA 1991

M. A. Anthropology, Indiana University, USA 1989

M. Sc. Education, Indiana University, USA 1983

B. A. (Hons) History, Ahmadu Bello University 1974

H. S. C. (Higher School Certificate) GC Keffi 1970

W. A. S. C. (West African School Certificate)

Government Secondary School, Katsina Ala 1968

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION IN ANTHROPOLOGY

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Sub-Fields of Specialization

a. Economic Development

b. Medical Anthropology

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST:

A. Rural Development

B. Impact of Oil Wealth on Agricultural Production.

C. Agricultural Practices in Less Developed Countries.

D. Educational Technology.

E. Museum Design and Exhibition.

F. Military History and Peace Keeping.

MY P O L I C Y   D E C L A R A T I O N

BACKGROUND: NIGERIA- A BROKEN NATION  

Nigeria at the Crossroads: Nigeria is terribly a broken nation. It’s a nation at the crossroads. We are at the defining moment of our history.

A Divided Nation: We are more divided now than ever before.

Insecurity: Nigerians are slaughtering their fellow Nigerians in their homes, on the highways, in the markets, in places of worship, on the farms and the bushes. Government is apparently helpless. The wicked kill fellow citizens and get away with it without consequences.

Loss of Value for a Nigerian’s Life: The life of Nigerians no longer matters. Nigerians get killed without consequence.

Nigeria is Reckoned the Most Corrupt Nation: Nigeria is reckoned among the most corrupt nations on earth.

Nigeria is Reckoned the Poverty Capital of the World: Nigeria is a nation richly endowed with abundant human and material resources, yet, we are reckoned the Poverty Capital of the World. The world’s most poor persons are found in Nigeria.

Less than Two Percent of Nigerians Control the Nation’s Wealth: Ironically, less than 2% of Nigeria’s population own and control Nigeria’s wealth. Some of them are among the world’s richest persons, while over 98% constitute the celebrated Poverty Capital of the World.

Youths Unemployment: Over 20 million of our University graduate youths are unemployed and those who govern Nigeria only play politics with the problem of unemployed youths. All along, the political leaders who ignore the youths might not know that Nigeria is sitting on a timed bomb waiting to explode.

The Problem of Insurgency: We are a nation beset with many security challenges including the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

High Level of Illiteracy: The illiteracy level is very high. Many children of school age have either not registered in school or have dropped out of school. The illiteracy further compounds the insecurity situation in the country. The high illiteracy level portends, not only security threat, but is also a threat to our social and economic situation as a nation.

Herdsmen and Farmers’ Clashes: The incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers which often lead to loss of lives and the destruction of farmlands are potentially a threat to our food security.

Nigeria’s Expected Population Increase: By the year 2050, Nigeria’s population will increase to over 400,000,000 people.

A Looming Decrease in Per Capita Income: According to the World Bank, our per capita income would drop from $2,300 to about less than $1,300.

Nigeria is a Near-Failed State: Given all the negative parameters, Nigeria is a dysfunctional nation barely managing to survive. It is a Near-Failed State. We are approaching the level when the less than two percent rich can no longer save themselves from the over 98% poor that constitute the capital poverty of the world.

Critical Times Need Critical Leadership: At the cross roads, Nigeria can no longer afford having a President for the sake of fulfilling the Constitutional obligation. Critical times need critical leadership. Nigeria needs a Pragmatic and Progressive Leadership to rescue the nation before we are caught up with the situation of the Arab Spring with its unforeseeable consequences.

MY COVENANT WITH NIGERIANS

My Covenant with Nigerians is based on the precarious state of the nation. There is need for an immediate and informed intervention to arrest further drift that may be more disastrous to our dear nation. In the 1920s and 1930s when Nigeria began to develop as a nation, she was not only the hope of Nigerian citizens, but she was also the hope of the entire black world. Descendants of Africa from other African nations converged on Lagos to lend support to Nigerian nationalists. African Americans from the U.S., the Caribbean, Brazil and other nationalities were in Lagos to support Nigeria, the emerging black people’s nation of Africa. It is unfortunate that after 58 years of independence, we have not only measured up to expectation, but we are a disappointment to ourselves. My Covenant with Nigerians is what I must do to drastically arrest the downward trend, ignited by the citizens’ faithlessness and lack of commitment to the nation.

The measures I will take to arrest further deterioration of the already dysfunctional nation are encapsulated in my Five Point Agenda. My agenda include the following:

1. True Federalism based on Fiscal Restructuring.

2. Security of lives and property.

3. Economic Reconstruction Driven by the Private Sector.

4. Social Agenda – Education and Health.

5. Youths, Women, and Physically Challenged Persons’ Empowerment.

TRUE FEDERALISM

Fiscal Restructuring: My government shall be committed to the fiscal restructuring of Nigeria. I will pursue vigorously the entrenchment of true federalism that will promote productivity, competitiveness, friendship and cooperation among the Federating Units. The reason Nigeria is suffering unemployment, insecurity, poverty and hunger, and education deficit is largely because the nation has erroneously embarked on the misguided culture of cake sharing. In doing this, the wealth of the nation is concentrated in the hands of the few, who are less than 2% of the population. Cake sharing does not guarantee equitable distribution of wealth and services down to the grassroots where people are. Instead, it promotes high level of corruption which negates the well being of ordinary citizens who have no access to cake sharing.

Promotion of the Emergence of Economic Entities: My Government will promote the emergence of geo-political economic entities of the federating units that are viable, sustainable, and competitive that will unleash the competitive potentials of Nigerians.

States to Control and Exploit their Resources: The States, the federating units will be empowered to control their resources, exploit and market them for the benefit of their local citizens. An agreed percentage of the accrued revenue from the Federating Units as agreed by the Nigerian people shall be paid to the Federal Government.

The Responsibility of the Federal Government: The Federal Government shall be responsible for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Currency. The monetary income from the Federating Units shall be used to finance Defence, Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Currency.

Education: Education shall be the responsibility of the State or the Federating Unit. This includes Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education. The Nigerian Universities shall be granted Full Autonomy. A Committee of Educational experts and administrators will be put in place to streamline the transition, especially for the Tertiary Institutions. Where it becomes necessary for the Federal Government to take on some responsibility, we will not hesitate. However, emphasis shall be placed on the devolution and decentralization of responsibilities. Emphasis shall also be on the competitiveness of Nigerian Universities with the aim of attracting foreign students.

JAMB: A Committee is working on the redefined roles of JAMB.

The Nigerian Armed Forces and Law Enforcement:

The Nigerian Armed Forces: The Nigerian Army shall be reorganized and modernized in line with modern warfare based on digital technology. The Armed Forces shall remain the formidable force for the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

International Peace Keeping Operations: The Nigerian Armed Forces will continue to cooperate with the UN, AU, and in the bilateral and the multi-lateral agreements including peace keeping operations.

National Guard: In order to avoid the unnecessary deployment and overstretching of the Nigerian Army in Internal Security (IS) operations, my Government shall establish National Guard. The Force will be used for Internal Security Operations. The Force shall be trained and equipped to cope with insurgencies, environmental disasters and other challenges that may occur.

The Nigeria Police Force

Decentralization of the Police Force: The Police Force shall be decentralized to the Federating Units. The Federal Government will continue to operate the Mobile Police which will be deployed to assist in the maintenance of security in the Federating Units when and where the need arises. The Nigerian Mobile Police has distinguished itself in International Peace Keeping Operations and must be maintained at the level of the Federal Government to assist the United Nations for the maintenance of World Peace.

The Use of the Police Force by the Federating Units: The Federal Government shall be concerned about the wellbeing of all citizens. Appropriate measures concerning code of conduct and rules of engagement shall be put in place to guide the Authorities of the Federating Units to safeguard innocent persons from victimization.

Reducing the Cost of Governance: The huge cost of governance, both at the Federal and State levels, must be reduced. Nigeria can no longer afford to run recurrent and capital budgets where the bulk of the financing is borrowed. Everybody, including members of the Legislature should be prepared to make some sacrifice. Nigeria’s external debt amounts to $23 billion, while internal debt stands at N22 trillion. It is very unfair to the Nigerian people for the Federal Government to borrow monetary resources and share it among Government Departments for consumption as overhead cost instead of investing in productive ventures to improve the nation’s economic development. My Government shall reduce the cost of governance and plough the savings accruing from these reductions into social investment programs, including Education, Health, Youths, Women, and the Physically Challenged empowerment.

Fiscal Restructuring for a Post-Oil Economy is no longer a Choice: We no longer have the benefit of a choice; with the oil economy predicted to collapse within the next ten years, architecting the post-oil economy is no longer a matter of choice; it is mandatory. Fiscal restructuring is the only choice we have to become an economically a viable and a productive nation.

Demand for Crude Oil will collapse in Eight Years: Eight years from now, the price and demand for crude, oil which accounts for over 85% of our foreign earnings will, collapse because by then all land transport vehicles will be powered by electrification.

Increased Population: Worse still, according to the World Bank, by 2050 Nigerian population will be over 400, 000, 000. This will make Nigeria the fourth most populous country in the world. If we do not restructure now to allow the emergence of economic entities that are viable, sustainable and competitive for a post-oil economy, how can we cope with a population of over 400, 000, 000 people in just a couple of years from now? We must achieve fiscal restructuring of Nigeria to devolve powers from the centre to allow the federating units to manage their economic resources.

The Judiciary: Each Federating Unit will have its own Court of Appeal for speedy dispensation of justice. This is necessary because Justice is unnecessarily delayed in this country.

Power Supply: No longer will the centrally controlled power system hold Nigeria to ransom. Fiscal restructuring will liberate Nigerians from the scourge of epileptic and non supply of electric power. The Federating Units shall be empowered to generate and supply power for home use. A group of neighbouring Federating Units can jointly set up their power generating system to serve the needs of their people. The National Grid shall be overhauled, sustained, and used to supply power as will be appropriate.    

THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN A RESTRUCTURED NIGERIA

Traditional rulers are an important component of the Nigerian national society. Very often, accomplished individuals are installed and celebrated as Royal Highnesses of their domains. Given the importance Nigerians attach to the traditional institution it is important that they are given commensurate roles in line with their culturally required roles for the provision of security, peace, development, and the wellbeing of their people. To ensure the balance between government and the people under a restructured Nigeria, the traditional leaders will perform the following roles:

1. Stakeholders of the Economic Resources: As the custodians of the customs and cultures of the people, traditional rulers are stakeholders in the economic entities of the federating unit of a restructured Nigeria.

2. Stakeholders in the Security of Lives and Property: Traditional rulers are stakeholders in the security and wellbeing of the people and their property in the federating units.

3. Accessibility to the Presidency: Traditional rulers, under the restructured Nigeria, have direct link with the Presidency and are free to report to the President the state of affairs of the people under their domain.

SECURITY

There has never been a threat on the security of lives and property in Nigeria as we have it now. Nigerians get killed or kidnapped without consequence. My APGA led-government will do all it takes to safeguard lives and property of the citizens.

Training: The Nigerian Armed Forces shall be retrained in both conventional and asymmetrical warfare in line with modern technology.

Deployment: The Armed Forces will be deployed principally for the protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and for the United Nations’ International Peace Keeping Operations.

National Guard: The National Guard shall be created, trained and deployed for Internal Security (IS) operations to handle insurgencies and terrorism. Attack on fellow Nigerians by any individuals will be considered acts of terrorism and will be treated as such. Similarly, kidnapping of fellow citizens by any individuals will be considered as acts of terrorism. The National Guard and the Nigerian Army will be trained to handle adequately all acts of terrorism. We must do all it takes to secure Nigeria as a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Regular Police Force: The Regular Police Force will be decentralized to constitute the nucleus of the Security Force of the Federating Units.

Mobile Police Force: Shall remain at the Federal level as an Intervention Force to assist the Federating Units when and where the need arises.

Construction and Renovation of Military Barracks: Decent and befitting barracks will be constructed for the personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces where they are needed and the old ones will be renovated. Soldiers deserve better accommodation than what currently prevails in our Military Barracks.

Renovation of Police Barracks: Existing police barracks will also be renovated to provide decent accommodation to the Police personnel.

Life Insurance: Members of security personnel and their families will be insured with reputable insurance firms.

Responsibility of Government to families of fallen heroes: Families of military officers and men who pay the supreme sacrifice on active service will automatically become the responsibility of Government. A committee will work out the details.

Fairness, Equity and Justice in Governance: The key driver of insecurity is the feeling of injustice and the lack of trust between the aggrieved persons and government. My government will engage all parties to insurgency with a view to addressing all perceived complaints of injustice in order to solve the problem. While we listen attentively with the view to solving the problem, the aggrieved and government must, together, pursue matters with the understanding that must be based on the love and commitment to our dear nation. The love of Nigeria must be the bedrock for discussion by all the participants in the dialogue. Acts of intimidation that betray the love and commitment to the nation must be avoided. While engaging in the dialogue strategy, my government will not yield to any acts of intimidation, but must focus on unveiling the truth of the underlying factors of the perceived injustice in order to bring about an in depth understanding that will lead to a realistic and lasting solution. The love of Nigeria and understanding based on facts will constitute the basis for resolving any grievances.

Creation of Level Playing Ground for All: The underlying philosophy of my governance is to carry all components and individual citizens along so that “No one and no place left behind.” We shall create a level playing ground for all Nigerians irrespective of gender, ethnicity, and religion to develop their potentials to the fullest.

Dialogue: We will engage all aggrieved persons through dialogue. But the aggrieved must be warned not to contemplate attacking any individuals because my Government will not tolerate the loss of life of a fellow Nigerian or that of a foreigner under my watch. There must be consequences for any loss of life.

ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION

The Underlying Factors for my Economic Reconstruction Agenda

Over Dependence on Oil Revenue: As a nation, we heavily depend on the accruing oil revenue for our budgets.

Oil Prices will plummet in the next ten years: In the next ten years, oil prices will drastically plummet when no country will produce road transport vehicles that will be powered by petrol. All land transport vehicles will be powered by electrification.

Increase in Nigeria’s Population: By the year 2050 Nigeria’s population will increase to over 400,000,000 people, as stated earlier.

A Decrease in Per Capita Income: According to the World Bank, our per capital income would drop from about $2,300 to less than about $1,300.

Desert Encroachment in the Northern Frontline States: In the Northern part of the country, the desert is encroaching at the rate of 0.6 kilometers per year. Right now we have some 15 kilometers width of desert land that stretches from Sokoto the North-West to Bornu in the North-East. These frontline States are under desert siege. We must rescue our land from nature in the interest of our future generations.

Marine Erosion along the Atlantic Coast: Along the Atlantic coast, our land mass is subjected to marine erosion which must be checked. We must reclaim our land mass and preserve it for our future generations. Our future generations should meet Nigeria better than we found it.

The Oil Spillage in the Niger Delta: Oil exploration and exploitation has caused much damage to the fresh waters and the land of the peoples of the Niger Delta. There is need to restore the environment for the healthy living of the people of the Niger Delta.

Clashes between Herders and Farmers: Clashes between the herders and farmers need urgent attention. Continued clashes between the herders and farmers will definitely hurt our economy and our food security. The cattle supply our protein needs, while crop farming supplies our carbohydrate needs. Our economic reconstruction is aimed at accommodating the needs of both herders and farmers. Since our population is on the upward trajectory and will hit the figures of over 400,000,000 people in the next 30 years, it is imperative that we develop a herding and a farming culture that will be beneficial to the survival of Nigeria as a nation, and the culture that will guarantee the wellbeing of all Nigerians regardless of the size of our population. We must also evolve the cultural attitudes that will enable us to understand, tolerate, and trust one another as members of one and indivisible nation. We must put behind us the attitudes of the 19th Century and begin to responsible citizens. We must endeavor to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in order to accommodate one another so that, together, we can cope with the collective challenges of the 21st Century.

Corruption: Corruption is a terrible vice. It is being fraudulent, dishonest, sleazy, and bribe taking. Such a person is untrustworthy. I believe no Nigerian will be happy to acquire any of the above as his or her title. For Nigeria to survive as a nation, all must be prepared to sacrifice in the interest of the collective good of all and for our future generations. We must sacrifice to build a nation that we and the entire world community will be proud of. To do this, we must love our nation. To love our nation, Nigeria is to give up corruption and all acts of dishonesty. We must also cut cost and avoid unnecessary waste.  

POST- OIL ECONOMY

Against the background of increase in Nigeria’s population to over 400,000,000 by 2050, a substantially decrease in oil price in the next ten years, and an impending decrease in per capita income, Nigeria has no choice but to begin to prepare immediately for a post-oil economy.

Post-Oil Economy: The focus on Post-Oil Economy is “Knowledge-based Economy” and “Tourism”.

Knowledge-Based Economy: My emphasis will be on human capital development. My focus will be on youth development. I perceive our vibrant youths as the next source of Nigeria’s Economic Boom. I will invest heavily on the youths. They will be developed to take over all sectors of the Nigerian economy including agriculture, solid mineral exploitation and processing, forestry, infrastructural development, aviation, space, power, health, education, and others. Training will be done in our Universities and other Tertiary Institutions in partnership with industries, companies and businesses. If necessary, some of the youths will be trained overseas.

Self-reliance Economy: The economy which is the production, distribution, consumption, and recycling of goods and services will be self-reliant and shall be driven by the private sector.

The Recycling of Waste Materials: The private sector will be motivated to set up plants for the recycling of waste. We shall form the culture of converting waste materials to wealth.

Pilot Technology Villages: My deep commitment to the advancement of technology in Nigeria will not be compromised. My administration will encourage the development of technology that will hasten rapid productivity and industrialization, generate employment opportunities, promote innovations for industrial development, and enable Nigerians to earn foreign exchange. I will establish three pilot technology villages. One will be located in the Western part of Nigeria to accommodate the youths of the area. One will be established in the East, and another will be established in one of the Northern states. This will be an ambitious program aimed at a deliberate inducement of technological development in Nigeria. Government will invest massively in the infrastructure, equipment and the educational instructors from within and outside the country.

Tourism: National Tourism Development Corporation will be strengthened by Government to develop both domestic and foreign tourist sites. Motivation will be given to the private sector to develop the critical elements of tourism. These include travels (air, roads, rail, and water transport systems); hotels; destinations; and culture.

Government to Provide Enabling Environment: My Government will provide enabling environment to the private sector to develop tourist attractions.

The Niger Delta: The oil wealth which accrued from the Niger Delta constituted the bedrock of Nigeria’s economy for almost six decades. In ten years oil is likely to depreciate in value given the manufacture of vehicles that will be powered by electrification. The crude oil itself will finish in about 20 years. The Niger Delta, the main source of Nigeria’s wealth has been ignored and has remained largely undeveloped. My Government will convert the Niger Delta into money-spinning tourist attraction. This will include infrastructural development to attract both domestic and foreign tourists, cable trains, and wide gauge rail system.

Revival of all Tourist Centres in Nigeria: All tourist centers in Nigeria will be revived to promote tourism nation-wide.

Rural Tourism: My administration will encourage rural tourism which comprise of ranches, dairy farms, forestry, and agro-based sites.

Power Supply: Without the availability of electricity, tourism will not be a successful money spinning business. My Government will authorize the Federating Units to generate power, and supply for their consumption. The Federating Units which have the challenge of generating power will be assisted by Federal Government until they are able to be self-reliant. States possessing money-spinning tourist centres but do not have electric power supply, will be assisted by the Federal Government.

Sources of Power: The Federating Units may derive power from one or more of the following sources: Solar power, hydro power, wind power, gas power, coal, and by fuel/waste.

Mechanized Agriculture: Farmers will be assisted with farm inputs, and single digit credit facilities.

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises: Farmers will be given soft loans of single digit interest.

Threat of Desert Encroachment: To check the desert encroachment in the frontline Northern States, there shall be massive irrigation, tree planting, all-year round farming, ranching, dairy farming and production, distribution and marketing of Nigerian made dairy products.

Post-Oil Economy Tax Regime: There will be a tax regime that will be favorable to our post-oil economic development plan. There are areas where tax will be increased. There are some areas where tax will be reduced. And still, there are some others where tax will be scrapped.

SOCIAL AGENDA

Education: Education is the bedrock of any nation that desires to develop. Without education, there can be no development. I believe in Nigeria and I am confident that with a sound education foundation, Nigeria will develop rapidly to become one of the leading nations in the world. Unfortunately, education which principally develops our children and youths, has always received the minimum percentage of our national budget – and very often, as low as 7%. I also believe that our youths and those who teach them deserve the best. It is my covenant with Nigerian Education Stakeholders that I will engage Education Experts to once and for all set the ball rolling for this most important sector on which all other sectors depend on to succeed. Everything will be done to done to improve Nigeria’s education from Primary to Tertiary levels. My Government is committed to engaging the Stakeholders to the extent that we can achieve the 26% Education budget required by UNESCO. It is not in the interest of our students that the University lecturers continue to go on strike due to negligence on part of Government. We must put an end to the incessant strikes in the Education Sector.

Free Tuition: With the 26% Education benchmark in mind, there will be free tuition at all levels of Education. Free Tuition is different from free Education. Free Education which is more encompassing cannot be possible until the fiscal restructuring is completed and the States, the Federating Units, become productive enough to fund their educational system.

Investment in Research: My Government will support research activities in our tertiary institutions. All areas of research endeavor will be encouraged but emphasis shall be on Science and Information Communications Technology (ICT).

Vocational Education: My government shall encourage Technical and Vocational Education.

Partnership: Government will encourage Universities to partner with industries and businesses in their research endeavors.

Intellectual Property Right (IPR): Nigerian Professors play roles in renowned foreign institutions by creating wealth through Intellectual Property Right (IPR). If our citizens who go outside the country can create wealth for foreign institutions, there is no reason why we cannot use our own here to generate wealth for our home institutions. This shows clearly that we are operating a dysfunctional system which makes things difficult  for our home Professors to function maximally. My Government will reverse this negative trend. We will support Tertiary Institutions so that we can reap the economic benefits of Intellectual Property Right (IPR). Partnering with Nigerian businesses and industrialists, we will harvest innovations and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

HEALTH

Preventive and Curative Health Care: My administration will pay equal attention to both preventive and curative health care.

Preventive: My government will encourage the provision of healthy living environment. The Federal Ministry of Health will educate members of the public on the need for a healthy environment, eating right, primary hygiene and sanitation, public immunization, nutrition, aeration and physical fitness. 

Primary Health Care

Primary Health Care is the first stage of the curative health care system.

Dispensary or Primary Health Care Centres: This category of the curative service is located in the Wards. In many Wards, especially in the rural areas where there is no hospital, they are the main curative health service available to the people. They are the responsibilities of the State and the Local Government. My Government will make sure that the basic, Primary Health Care system of the rural people is adequately equipped with the basic needs. These include personnel, equipment, and drugs. To ensure sustainability of the Centres, equipment and drugs supplied will be accounted for.

Pregnant Women and Children: Pregnant women and children will be given special attention in the health centres. Pre-natal and post-natal health-care delivery shall be free.

Secondary Health Care

The Secondary Health Care is the second stage of curative health care system.

Hospital: Medical personnel will be employed and motivated to provide effective services to the people. This includes: Medical Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Laboratory Assistants and others.

Equipment: Government shall provide equipment and ensure its safety.

Involvement of Members of the Local Community: Members of the Local Community shall be nominated to constitute the membership of the Hospital Management Committee in all existing Federal Government Hospitals. This is to oversee the local environment to ensure the safety of Hospital personnel and equipment.

Free Medical Treatment for Children: There shall be free medical treatment for children and pregnant women.

Tertiary Health Care

Our specialist Hospitals will be adequately equipped with personnel and state-of-the art equipment that even I as the President will not have to go abroad for treatment.

YOUTHS, WOMEN, AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS EMPOWERMENT

As a matter of urgency, my Government shall create an Agency in the Presidency to mobilize and assist the most ignored and deprived persons in Nigeria. My APGA led-government shall establish in the Presidency, an Agency of Youths, Women, and the Physically Challenged Persons. The youths, women, and the physically challenged, the most vulnerable persons, will be empowered.

THE YOUTHS

The youths are described very often as the leaders of tomorrow. In Nigeria, the said tomorrow is yet to arrive for the youths. Since the 1960s Governments have systematically recycled the same individuals and excluded the youths from governance. It has been the same faces always. Most of the youths of the 1970s and 1980s are still waiting for their time which will never come. The politicians of the older generations who found themselves in power have entrenched themselves as permanently recycling leaders of Nigeria. APGA is determined to change the game in favor of the Nigerian youths. My goal, as the President of Nigeria is to take over Nigeria from the privileged few and hand over to our vibrant youths. To achieve this, my Government will take the following steps:

To Prepare the Youths for National Leadership: We will build the youths to take over effectively the leadership of Nigeria in every sphere of human endeavour. This includes, building business and political leadership.

Creation of Youth Agency in the Presidency: My Government will create an Agency for Youths, Women, and the Physically Challenged Persons in the Presidency.

Creation of Data Base for Youths: We will create data base for the youths in all the Wards, Local Governments, and States of the Federation.

Training of the Youths: The youths shall be trained and given the sense of direction as to where Nigeria is coming from, where we are, and where we should be in the nearest future. The youths will be mobilized and given the sense of direction to appreciate their nation.

Youths Empowerment: Members of the political class give the youths peanuts and use them to do the dirty jobs for them. Soon after, the youths are abandoned to their own fate, without love and without care. My Government shall empower the youths to become productive and prosperous, so that they can stand on their own feet, to seek national leadership. Empowerment will include creation of employment opportunities as in massive infrastructural development, opening up the agricultural sector through farm mechanization and increased farm inputs, checking the desert encroachment in the northern part of Nigeria through massive tree planting, massive irrigation and setting up ranches, dairy farms and the production of dairy products. We will also endeavour to check marine erosion along the Atlantic coastline.

Financial Support: If necessary, the youths shall receive direct financial support.

Political Appointments: If Nigeria truly wants the youths to be the leaders of tomorrow, they must be trained for leadership. My Government shall consider many youths for service as Ministers, Committee members, University Governing Council members, and Board Members in the various Agencies of the Federal Government. The youths must be allowed to try their hands on leadership if we truly want them to take over the leadership of Nigeria.

The NCNC the First and only National Party was Formed by the Youths: In 1944 the Nigerian youths came to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and appealed to him to provide leadership that would unite all Nigerian ethnic groups into one solid political block. Encouraged by Dr. Azikiwe, the youths invited Nigerians to Lagos. On 26th August, 1944 representatives of 101 ethnic groups met at Glover Hall in Lagos. The grand alliance led to the establishment of the first Nigerian Council that spoke on behalf of all Nigerians. The Council first named, The Nigerian Council. However, due to the request of three Cameroonian groups, the Bameda Union, the Bakwere, and the Cameroonian Youths League resident in Lagos, on the same day, the Council became known as the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC). Thanks to our Nigerian youths, the Council adopted the cock as its symbol.

The symbolism of the cock is to help us to wake up from our slumber. Herbert Macaulay was elected the first Chairman of the Council, and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was elected the first Secretary. This grand alliance of Nigerians which was initiated by Nigerian youths has metamorphosed into the present day All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Today, General Gbor is the Presidential Candidate of the Party of the old Grand Alliance of 1944, the Party of early Nigerian nationalists and Patriots; the Party of Engr. Herbert Macaulay; the Party of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; and the Party of the early Patriotic Nigerian Youths. Our Nigerian youths today are suffering negligence because they have abandoned their first love, the very Political Party they had created to rescue Nigeria from disunity, poverty, and from oppression.

The youths of the 1940s desired realistic unity and progress of Nigeria which they initiated before Eastern, Northern, and Western Regions were created mainly to disorient Nigerians from their spirit of Nationalism and Patriotism. The youths must come back to APGA, pick the Nigerian spirit and give the nation the desired sense of direction. The Cock which became the symbol of NCNC that was formed at the instance of the Nigerian youths is still crowing to arouse all Nigerians to wake up from slumber and to set Nigeria on the path of greatness. That is the mission General Gbor is coming to execute as the President of our dear nation: “To mobilize and motivate our vibrant Nigerian youths to recover the lost Nigerian spirit and collectively, to lead the Nation to its destined direction and greatness.” So help me God!

WOMEN

The women are among the most ignored and neglected components of the Nigerian society. A few of them have found themselves in the national system and are fairly treated. However, the majority of women, especially in the rural areas are the most ignored.

Beijing Affirmative Action: My Government will implement the 35% Beijing affirmative action. However, with my program of youth empowerment I hope to exceed the Beijing affirmative number.

Women Empowerment: My Government will provide economic empowerment for the struggling women of rural Nigeria.

Women to in Cooperative Societies: Women shall be organized in Cooperative Societies

Training for Skills Acquisition: They will be trained in various skills acquisition.

Sources of Finance for Women Empowerment: They will be linked up with various sources of financing including Micro Finance Banks, Bank of Industry, International Organizations to access Government facilitated grants. The Central Bank will be consulted for assistance for women and youths empowerment.

PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS

In order that “No one and no place is left behind” in my governance of Nigeria, we are equally mindful of the physically challenged persons. All Nigerians must be carried along.

• The problem of the physically challenged persons shall be a component of the Youths, Women, and Physically Challenged Agency that will be created in the Presidency.

• Data Base: There shall be a nation-wide data base for the physically challenged persons.

• Empowerment: The empowerment of the physically challenged persons will be based on the individual’s ability. Those who have ability will be trained in the desired skills and vocation and will be given support to be self-reliant.

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