GEN GBOR DEFEATS BUHARI, ATIKU IN OWN POLLING UNIT

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Maj. Gen. John Gbor, has defeated his rivals President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his NKST Primary School Anber, Polling Unit code 603. 

He polled 93 votes while Buhari polled 75 votes and Atiku 53 votes.

The presidential candidate reiterated his confidence in INEC to conduct a credible poll and call for peaceful conduct.

Gbor expressed satisfaction with the turn up saying it "is not bad," and is "sure" that the vote of the people will count.

"I believe INEC will do a good job here. The security situation is also good; the Police are doing their job and there is law and order," Gen. Gbor said.

He also appealed to Nigerians not to be violent as they cast their ballot, in compliance with the request by President Muhamnadu Buhari that they conduct themselves peacefully during and after the poll.

The APGA presidential candidate later held a private discussion with His Eminence Prof James Iorzua Ortese Ayatse, Tor Tiv after the poll.

 As Nigeria gets set for another general election a couple of days from now, PhotoNews Magazine reviewed, an interview granted by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), General John Gbor (rtd) who provides insight into the nation’s struggle towards greatness where hie also speaks passionately about making Nigeria prosperous again if elected president. 

Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 general elections John Gbor has hinted among other things his drive towards becoming Nigeria’s number one citizen. In a chart with this medium on the nation,s 55 independence anniversary, the Gen. Maintained that,Nigerians, have persistently lived together and remained united as one indivisible nation despite the British colonial contraption of the country. 

We have had a series of unpleasant developments, some of which threatened our peaceful coexistence and our political stability. The nation had experienced many successful and abortive military coups.

 Military intervention led to the emergence of many military leaders beginning from Major General J. T. U. Aguyi-Ironsi in January 1966 to General Abdusalaami Abubuakar who finally handed over to a democratically elected Government in 1999.

Undeniably, we have not fared well. The unity we have attained did not come easy. It came at the expense of many beautiful lives lost. Military intervention in the nation’s polity led to loss of many Nigerians including military personnel and civilians. 

A number of our national leaders from different parts of the country who really meant well for our dear country and dedicated themselves for our future wellbeing were killed. Our actions plunged the nation into a bitter Civil War which resulted to loss of lives and the destruction of property. 

Looking back, the several military coups, the killing of our leaders and other fellow citizens, the Civil War, the Niger Delta Unrest, the Maitatsine Uprising, and the current Boko Haram Terrorism in the North-East, were all unnecessary. Human actions, good or bad are the product of the mindset of the actors. Culture, defined as how members of any given society feel, think, and act is responsible for how members of a society feel, and think. In other words, human actions are principally determined by what they put on their minds and the mind, in turn is fed by the accumulated cultural traits of the given society.

The confusion which led Nigerians to the irrational thinking which in turn resulted to the despicable and unpleasant actions against some of our members is due to lack of knowledge and understanding of one another as a people of one nation bound under one destiny. 

The British put together peoples of different nationalities as members of one nation but for a period of over thirty years, did nothing to integrate the various ethnic groups. We did not really know ourselves as we remained ignorant of one another. 

Knowledge based on facts triggers understanding. In the absence of factual knowledge, humans tend to depend on myths to interpret alien cultures and behaviour. Myths about aliens are largely misleading and actions based on myths, rather than on facts, are generally deplorable. 

Where knowledge and understanding are lacking ignorance, which operates outside the realm of wisdom, takes control of the society and human actions, based on false assumptions are, for the most part, irrational. This means that both the leadership and followership of any given society that is bound in ignorance are liable to taking irrational actions.

The Nigerian people were ignorant of one another as from the outset the colonial administration did not provide the opportunity for them to properly integrate, know and understand themselves. 

The inability of Nigerians to know, understand and trust one another was due to the British colonial contrivance of a nation that was loosely put together without any deliberate effort at integrating the people. 

The administrative structure based on the Native Authority (NA) system and the arbitrarily created Provincial Units which operated without an all-Nigerian Constitution to bind the people together, did not allow for beneficial interaction of the various Nigerian ethnic nationalities.

By 1939 Nigeria was re-structured into three Groups of Provinces. These were the Western, the Eastern, and the Northern Groups of Provinces. While Nigerians were being administered and educated in their Native Authority and Provincial Units, there was no single Nigerian Constitution that governed the peoples of the Northern and the SouthernProtectorates which were amalgamated into one nation since 

since 1914. 

The first all-Nigerian Constitution, the Richard Constitution, introduced in 1946 only helped to deepen the previously existing Nigerians’

ignorance of one another’s culture and behaviour. Nigerians were not given any meaningful opportunity with one another, as no effort, whatsoever was made to allow for a beneficial integration Nigerians of the Northern and the Southern extractions between 1914 and 1945.

This gave room to mythologies which crystallized into the culture of ignorance, confusion, suspicion, and distrust. This has become Nigeria’s endemic cultural problem which hinders the successful take off of the country as a great nation of Africa. Unfortunately for Nigeria, but beneficial to the imperialists, for the British contrivance served their imperial interest so that they will, forever colonize Nigerians, send their stolen wealth to British and other European banks in compliance with the way the country was designed and wired. We were designed with a wrong worldview to toil and struggle fore European survival forever.

 The strong desire for Nigerian nationhood the educated  demonstrated through the emerging spirit of nationalism, immediately  threatened British imperial interest in Nigeria. Remembering the American Revolution against British imperial interest in their former American colony and the agitation that were going on in Jamaica, British colonial administration took steps to effectively checkmate the the growing spirit of Nigerian nationalism. The Nationalists, referred to as the central minded Nigerians, were considered as enemies of British imperial interest in Nigeria and Africa. 

Their actions were a threat to the British colonial officers who were at the centre of the British colonial office in Lagos. Something had to be done to terminate Nigeria’s spirit of nationalism which was inimical to British imperial interest.

Europeans in Nigeria were apprehensive of educated Nigerians on several issues. However, they were particularly irritated by their strong desire to dress, speak and eat like the English men. They Particularly detested their attitude of imitating and aspiring to be like “English Gentleman” Which was the highest social class in England. 

There were lower classes in the UK such as the cook, the farmer, the butcher, and others which the educated Nigerians shunned to imitate. Instead, they imitated the English Gentleman in his mode of dress, speech, and food type. The British administration in Nigeria became apprehensive of the educated Nigerian’s emerging nationalism. 

To choose to imitate the English Gentleman instead of the English cook or farmer was viewed as a tall ambition that must be terminated. The point here is that the attitudes of educated Nigerians were very disturbing to the British people resident in Nigeria, and therefore, what informed British  subsequent decisions on the structuring and administration of Nigeria was their concern to truncate Nigerian nationalism and the excess ambition of the educated Nigerians. To achieve this singular objective the British focused on how best strategies to handle, manipulate, and subdue Nigerian nationalism.

The British contraption of Nigeria was then designed, not only to truncate the educated Nigerians’ spirit of nationalism, patriotism, and commitment but also to keep them asunder in order to delay the processes of national unity and integration. Nigeria was thus to be created a nation without soul. 

From 1914 the year of the amalgamation of the North and the South, the British did not evolve, not even a single Constitution that would bring all Nigerians together in order to know, to understand, and to trust one another as citizens of one nation until in 1946, some 32 years after. Thirty-two years is a long enough period for the culture of ignorance to thrive and sufficiently crystallize for Nigerians to accept whatever foreigners tell them about themselves. The educational system was focused on the knowledge of Europe at the expense of that of Nigeria and Africa.

The first “all-Nigerian Constitution” known as the Richards Constitution was imposed on Nigerians in 1946. Sir Arthur Richards was known to have effectively subjugated nationalists in Jamaica. Looking around, the British found in him the most suitable Briton to be assigned the task to subjugate ‘the centrally minded Nigerians’ and to truncate Nigerian nationalism and along with it, national commitment and patriotism. Nigeria was thus designed as a nation that its citizens were completely devoid of patriotism and commitment to national values.

The British did not conceive this idea because they were bad people. They did so because they loved their country and they had to take decisions that were in the best interest of the future wellbeing of the British Imperial Power. Besides, what brought them to the shores of Africa was not to establish powerful African nations. What brought them here was to improve their eiconomic wellbeing and the future wellbeing of their citizens. It is left for Nigeria to recreate herself into a well integrated, politically stable, a well united and a prosperous nation. Nigeria, as it is, was designed and created for sharing and for the taking, and that is why Nigerians do no not consider corruption is as a big deal. The mistake our leaders made is the wrong assumption that we already have a nation ready to take off. This our ship cannot take off until we recreate ourselves and recondition our minds to recapture our stolen soul.

In the contraption of Nigeria, the very first all-Nigeria Constitution of 1946, Sir Arthur Richards schemed the 1939 “ Western, Eastern, and Northern Group of Provinces” into Regions. Nigerian nationalism of the 1920s, 1930s and the first half of the 1940s focused on the centrality and unity of Nigeria. This informed our nationalists to advocate for numerous states. Despite General Yakubu Gowon’s creation of the Twelve State Structure and the subsequent states created by other Nigerian leaders, Nigerians still perceive the former regions as God given. Little do they know that, those regions were given to us as a clog in our wheel of progress and also, to truncate our spirit of nationalism and national cohesiveness.

Richards’ idea of Regional Governments was to Nigerian nationalism and to encourage “regional” or “parochial” nationalism. The retardation of the nationalists’ effort at “National Nationalism” in favour of parochial nationalism was to give the British imperial power a breathing space in Lagos. The practice of parochial nationalism grew into the culture of parochial politics which led to lack of national commitment and the unabated corruption. Our nationalists advocated for the creation of states and looked forward to the establishment of a federal system of government.

Today, when some ignorant and fortune seekers are advocating for secession based on the British regional arrangements, they are actually conforming to the whims of Sir Arthur Richards’ colonial contraption which forced the regions on us. He boasted that he did so to truncate our nationalism in order to curb the activities of “centrally minded Nigerians” whose interest was to harass and eventually unseat the imperial power in Lagos. This constitution was resented by Nigerian nationalists. Chief Obafemi Awolowo referred to it as a “new contrivance”. Some groups spoke of boycotting Legislative Council elections as a protest against the constitution. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macaulay launched a continued protest and demonstration against the constitution. In 1967 General Yakubu Gowon gave us States as a step towards the recreation of Nigeria but some mischievous and uninformed people seeking cheap popularity, in want of what to do, are still talking or revisiting the divisive and misleading language of Sir Arthur Richards.

The regional or parochial political thinking led us to the numerous military coups, counter coups, the civil war, the Niger Delta unrest, and many other unpleasant developments. All these have happened as a result of the removal of the spirit of nationalism and patriotism which in turn is responsible for lack of commitment to our dear nation. Lack of patriotism and national commitment are in turn responsible to the unprecedented high level of corruption which made Nigeria the most corrupt nation on earth. Nigeria’s corruption cuts across religious and ethnic boundaries. It defiles all professional ethics.

It also defiles all educational levels and standards. No one, no matter how highly or lowly placed is immune to corruption in the Nigerian society. 

This is largely in response to the type of nation the British contrived for Nigeria. We were designed as a loose nation for the acquisition of industrial raw materials and for the dumping of European industrial products. An early supporter of British imperialism in Africa in the 1890s urged his Government and said, “Think of the benefit that it would be to England in increasing markets for manufactured goods and receiving additional produce in return;…” 

Nigerian’s wealth and raw materials are, therefore, meant to be used in Europe by Europeans, for they are not meant to be processed and used here in country. 

This explains why Nigerians quickly rush to send Nigeria’s stolen funds to European Banks in overseas where Nigeria’s monetary resources were designed originally to be used. No Nigerian government has given it a serious thought to reverse this trend.

The issue of Nigeria’s corruption is pathetic. Nigerians are neither too highly nor too lowly placed to steal government monetary resources. Nigeria’s money is for the taking so that no one is neither too little nor too big to steal. People fight for National position in order to position themselves strategically to access the nation’s monetary resources to commandeer as much as they are able to see, for what you see is yours to take. To perfect in the corruption which has become a very lucrative business, Nigerians have deliberately distorted what the British put in place as a system or the standard way of operating government. This distortion has left us to be operating a system-less system in a supposedly, a decent Nigerian nation that has been rendered helpless to become a nation-less nation. Those who have distorted the system and made Nigeria a nation-less nation believe that what exists, perhaps as “a geographical expression” is only there to serve their personal interest. They cannot pause for a second to think of the numerous youths we have in all parts of the country, and neither do they ever think of the wellbeing of future generations of Nigerians.

To this category of Nigerians, who indeed are in the majority, Nigeria exists only as a nation where those of them who have access to the nation’s wealth through appointment are the chosen ones by God to help themselves as much as possible at the expense of the unfortunate and poor citizens without appointments.

Nigerians steal great amounts of the nation’s wealth without any feeling of guilt. This is understood because to them they are not doing anything wrong. They are only conforming exactly with what Nigeria was designed for (to share, to take, and to steal). This is the predicament of a nation without soul. The truncation of Nigerian nationalism by the Richards Constitution in 1946 made the center of Nigeria unattractive. People came from the Regions to the centre only to take whatever they could to their respective Regions. This culture of taking and sharing degenerated into the outright stealing for self gratification. Those involved in the misappropriation of the nation’s wealth feel that stealing government resources is not a big deal. Unfortunately, all of them are highly positioned men and women of the national society. Those who successfully steal from the common goods of the society are congratulated, hailed and worshipped as heroes.

The ultimate effect of the unabated stealing of the nation’s wealth is to make Nigeria a toddler. 

The ultimate effect of the unabated stealing of the nation’s wealth is to make Nigeria a toddler. We must do our best to put behind us this obnoxious culture of stealing and create for ourselves a New Nigeria that is not just a “geographical expression” or a “nation-less nation” operating a “system-less system”. We must create a Nigeria that, in the words of Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, an ardent Nigerian nationalist, a Nigeria that is “undivided and indivisible”. We must work towards the realization of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s dream when he said, “Nigeria is no longer a geographical expression but a historical fact...Our stand is that Nigeria is a nation in the emergence and that this political union which has been forged on the anvil of British rule is indissoluble and perpetual”. Sir Ahmadu Bello, the premier of the Northern Region in his address to the Northern House of Assembly said, “I wish to state categorically, my belief in the unity of this country, for there are more things that unite us than divide us”. We must adhere to our founding fathers to sustain the perpetuity of Nigeria. 

Welcome to Nigeria My Country: Nigerians will not relent in their effort at recre...

Welcome to Nigeria My Country: Nigerians will not relent in their effort at recre...: Nigerians will not relent   in   their  effort at recreating a new  nation  until the country repositions itself to comfortably join memb...

Welcome to Nigeria My Country: Nigerians will not relent in their effort at recre...

Welcome to Nigeria My Country: Nigerians will not relent in their effort at recre...: Nigerians will not relent   in   their  effort at recreating a new  nation  until the country repositions itself to comfortably join memb...

Election: APGA Presidential candidate, Gbor appeals for calm

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Presidential candidate Gen. John Gbor (rtd), has described as unfortunate, the postponement of the 16th February Presidential and National Assembly election.

Gbor, who made this known in his Anmber village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State where he went to vote in the election however appeal for calm from Nigerians.

"It is unfortunate that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the election" Gen. Gbor said adding, "it is unfortunate that the postponement was announced on the day election was to hold.

"Nigerians left their homes to where they are suposed to vote. They spend money and sacrificed a lot to go and vote only to be told that the election is postponed. I sympathise with my fellow country men and urge them to be calm."

The APGA Prasidential candidate, who said he has no doubt that INEC, under the leadership of Prof Mahmood Yakubu will conduct credible polls posited that the postponement of the election by the umpire body is not a strange thing because other developing nations have suffered a similar thing.

He added that Nigeria needs good leaders and patriots so that "this kind of avoidable situation will no longer occur."

Gen. Gbor nevertheless, admitted that the people are disappointed. "I left Abuja for my village Anmber, where I am a registered voter only to be told few hours to election time that the election has been postponed. The people are disappointed.

"I am told that in Benue South, the people refused to leave the polling units and insisted that election must hold. That was their frustration," he noted.

He commended university teachers, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, security agents and others deployed for the postponed election for their sacrifice to seeing that "Nigeria is a functional state" and appealed to them not to be discouraged by the postponement.

To the electorate, he said: "You were ready to come out and vote but the election has been postponed. Do not be discouraged. Come out on 23rd February and vote for the candidates of your choice.

"And when you vote, especially, the youth shun violence. If you are provoked, don't react; vote for peace. I have signed to a peace accord and I urge our people to remain calm for the new date.

"We are all Nigerians and this is our country. We don't have any other country that is called our own. Apart from that there is no alternative to democracy."

Nigerians will not relent in their effort at recreating a new nation until the country repositions itself to comfortably join members of the civilized world and become one of the leading powers on earth.Gen. Gbor

Benue IDPs not disenfranchised by INEC, says Benue NGO boss

The Independent Natonal Electoral Commiscion (INEC), has released a revised schedule of polling points for voting at the general election by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Commonunity Links and Human Empowerment Initiative (CLHEI) Dr. Helen Teghtegh, whose Non Governmental Organisation (Ngo) is working with the IDPS to ensure that they vote in the general elections earlier circulated the information across the IDPs camps in the state.

According to Dr. Teghtegh, two categories of IDPS are recognised: Those whose communities have been completely displaced and those whose communities are partially displaced.

IDPs are camped in Guma, Makurdi and Logo Local Government Areas of the state with IDPs at Ugba and Anyiin, scheduled to vote at the designated polling points at Ugba and Anyiin. The Ugba IDPs camp comprised the displaced persons from Tombo and Mbagber Council Wards and they will vote at Ugba voting point while the Anyiin camp, which comprised the displaced persons from Tombo, Mbagber, Ukyemberega/Tswarev will vote at Anyiin voting point.

IDPs from the other camps including Daudu I, Daudu II, Gbajimba, NEPA Quarters, Baka Market, Abagena and Mbawa will go to their council wards to vote. 

Dr. Teghtegh quoted INEC as expressing concern for multiple voting and rigging as reasons for providing for the IDPs to go their wards and vote more so that council wards from where IDPs in the aforementioned camps come from are only partially displaced.

She denied insinuations in some quarters that INEC is set to disenfranchised IDPs in the state explaining that the Commission following calls by Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative registered IDPs that are eligible to vote, distributed Permanent Voter Cards to them with involvement in educating the IDPs on the commission's voting platform for them.

According to Dr. Teghtegh, the idea is to ensure that the IDPs as nationals of Nigeria also exercise their civic responsibilities. Her NGO championed voter education and get out the vote campaign in IDPs camps. 

However, the Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative boss says during distribution of the new schedule of the polling points for IDPs voting, the IDPs, especially in Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas are concerned about their security in going to their wards where they are displaced to vote as there are still cases of pockets of killings, transportation fare and where to put up in advance to election day, especialy that the information is coming less than 24 hours to election day.

I will give Traditional Rulers 3 Critical Roles in a Restructured Nigeria

Ahead 2019: APGA Presidential Candidate Seeks Royal Blessings, Promises Critical Roles in a Restructured Nigeria

Presidential Candidate of the all Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) John Gbor in a move to secure royal blessings ahead the contest February 2019, has assertedthat he would create critical roles for the traditional institution in a restructured Nigeria.

Gen. Gbor dropped this hint during his visit to His Imperial Majesties, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and, the Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi recently.

According to him, “Traditional rulers are an important component of the Nigerian society therefore to ensure the balance between government and the people under a restructured Nigeria, the traditional rulers have roles to play”. 

    

Adding that; “traditional rulers would be stakeholders of the economic resources, as the custodians of the customs and cultures of the people: First, traditional rulers are stakeholders in the economic entities of the federating unit of a restructured Nigeria. 

Second, they are stakeholders in the security of life and property and also the well-being of the people and their property in the federating units. Third, traditional rulers would have direct access to the presidency and are free to report to the President the state of affairs of the people in their domain”.

The presidential candidate also used the occasions to present his five-point agenda to the monarchs separately to include, restructuring, through fiscal federalism, security, economic reconstruction driven by private sector, social agenda, involving education and health, youths, women and physically challenged empowerment programme. 

In a remark, Oba Adeyemi, who gave a historical perspective on the issues raised by the APGA Presidential candidate, deeply appreciated him for being able to articulate his manifesto in Policy Declaration format, saying that; “most candidates visiting him lacked programmatic focus” and then prayed for the presidential candidate as well as implored him to propagate his vision for Nigerians. While Oba Ogunwusi who was obviously impressed not only by the erudition of Dr Gbor, but his passion for the empowerment of the youths said the presidential candidate was able to “strike the right cord in him”. 

   

The Ooni of Ife said he would continue to pray for Gbor to succeed in his laudable project of becoming the president of Nigeria. 

Accompanied by the party echelon on the visit were DnSamson Olalere, Director General,  Barrister Sola Oyediji, BOT member, APGA, Mike Angel Director of Strategic Communication, Gen John Gbor and Jerry ChukwuekePresidential Campaign Organisation, aides, Dr AdeolaBadru, Osun state APGA Chairman Tunde Popoolaamong others.  

In a related development, the custodians of the customs and traditions of the people of Benue State spoke. His Eminence Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Och'Idoma Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, on behalf of the God of their people made declaratory statements respecting the son of the state Major General John Wilson Terwase Gbor, in December 2018.

The Tor Tiv is King over the Tiv nation world wide while the Och'Idoma sits on the Idoma Kingdom (which extends to Igede, Always, Ufia and Agatu). The two kingdoms are paramount in the state with the heads of the kingdoms seen as the spiritual head and unifying force of the two.

This year, 2018, something significant has happened within the boundaries of these kingdoms: Major General John Wilson Terwase Gbor is flying the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party flag for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is first time in the democratic history of the state.

Tears nearly flew down my chicks, sitting back at the Tor Tiv Palace, in Gboko, and later at the Och'Idoma Palace in Otukpo, as I listened to the most important Kings in the state address Gen. Gbor. 

The Tor Tiv sat with his chiefs in council: Tor Gwer, His Highness Julius Aondona; Tor Jechila, His Highness Clement Uganden; Tor Lobi, His Highness Moses Anagende; Tor Jemgbagh, His Highness David Ajoko and Tor Kwande, His Highness Ambrose Iortyer.

For those who have followed His Eminence Prof Ayatsekeenly, they mjust have seen that he is not a man of many words. He didn't talk much when the APGA presidential candidate called either.

But characteristics of the tradition, it was Gen. Gbor who first spoke; first at the Tor Tiv Palace and then, at the Och'Idoma's Palace, in Otukpo.

The crux of Gbor's visit was principally to inform their Majesties of his nomination to run for the office of President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. And he got more than he bargained for.

In the words of the Deputy Director General of Gbor/Chukwueke Presidential Campaign OrganisationAlhaji Danladi Magaji, Gbor left the two palaces with three key achievements: Royal blessings, royal wisdom and royal stamina.

And Gbor told their Majesties, "Now I am good to go." He talked of restructuring (not the regional arrangement; devolution of powers), security, social reform, economic reconstruction as well as youth, women and the physically challenged as his "five point agenda."

Let it be known that as we head into 2019 general elections, Benue is asking for the position of the highest office in the land: The office of the President. Mtôr hen nyangun me kungu ave ga.

Given the heterogeneity of Gbor's entourage, the Tor Tivspoke first in English, and then, Tiv having allowed his chiefs-in-council to "ta Gen. Gbor kpagh ken Jime" (offer words of encouragement)

Read below

kpagh ku a Tor A ayou a Tiv nyen ta the APGAPresidential Candidate, Gen. Gbor and think about it.

Tor Gwer: "I am pleased that our son is contesting for the office of the President of this country. It has been difficult for us to attain this position. I am appealing to our people to stand behind him so that he will succeed in this and help our land."

Tor Jechira: "I know Gen. John Gbor to be a very hard working person. So, I was happy to receive invitation from the Begha U Tiv, inviting me to be here. I want to congratulate Gen. Gbor because it has been the prayer of Begha that during the time of his reign, one of his subjects rules Nigeria as President. 

"You have beautifully published works about the Tiv and it is my hope that when you go there, you will make us proud. It is my prayer that you will succeed."

Tor Lobi: Gen Gbor, you're welcome. You've said that some of the people here were your classmates; yes, we were mates in Zaria (ABU). I know him to be a very serious student and nobody never had any problems with him. 

"No presidential candidate has ever come to the Tor Tiv to ask for blessing. Gen. Gbor is the first and you have my blessings. I want to encourage you and wish God makes you the president (of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). 

Tor Jemgbagh: It is a welcome development to see Gen Gbor in our midst. Biblically it is said knock and it shall be open to you. As you have come into the political arena; I know that you a very very clever person and I know you must have done your homework before coming in.

"You've told us how you became a candidate; a very unique way. That must have been the handiwork of God. 

"Don't overload your campaigns. Talk less in your undertakings. It is a good thing for us to have somebody within us contesting for the office of the president of Nigeria.

"Let me commend those who encouraged you to run for the highest office in the country. You've invited us into your project and we will talk to our people and tell them the way forward."

TOR Kwande: "Gen. Gbor, I am pleased that you've come to Benue for blessings. I've listened and hear your beautiful presentation. I want to thank those that have encouraged you to contest and I pray that God will give them the strenght to support you. 

"God will increase your days and strength. It seems to me that you will make history in this journey you've embarked upon because you've touched on what has been the problem of this country. States have no powers, same way with traditional rulers; just as you've mentioned in your address.

"When you become President, call Nigerians to help you do the work; don't only pick those who will work for you from here (Benue State). If you call us alone, I will ask you if you have called the others. 

"There is so much power at the centre such that what they will do with it now they dont know. We will talk to our people and that is why it is a good thing that you have come here, so that you will receive blessing from the Tivnation under the headship of the Tor Tiv. Talk to the people and they will vote for the cock."

And His Eminence, the Tor Tiv decreed: "I have a few things to say! Gen. Gbor, for just winning the flag of APGAalone, you've done us proud.

"We are proud of you, one because of your pedigree. You have run a very sterling career in the military. You are very productive, not just as a military officer but because you have contributed for the knowledge development of your people (the Tiv) and the nation. 

"You have always wanted to contribute to development even after retirement and you've shown that in your previous outings. That zeal is still there and that is why you are now a presidential candidate of a major party. 

"APGA is ahead of some political parties that don't control any state. Your party, APGA controls a state. Beyond that it is a stepping stone that you got the party's presidential ticket. 

"For me, when I pray I believe God and I am not seen the ticket as the end but getting the election. 

"As a people in the Middle Belt and as a Tiv nation, I think we deserve to have a go at that seat (presidency); we have paid our dues. So making this demand is not a big deal. 

"Yes, politics is a game of number, just like someone said but I also know that there is power of persuasion. As you go round and you present your message, many will be persuaded. 

"We want something new and I believe you represent that new dimension to governance and I believe people will buy easily as you go about your campaigns. 

"Our support and prayers will go with you. I know that God wil give you divine favour and raise men that will raise funds for you and people we want to be a part of the project. 

"Go out with the spirit of a winner; you're not an underdog! Go out like a lion and you will succeed."

My Lord, the Tor Tiv added: "Let me now speak in the most sweetest language in the whole universe.

"Msoo u sughun we (Gen. John WT Gbor) kpishi shaiyange ne. U tôr angahar ka avesen man ka a tyô cii i a rumun awe. 

"Se ya can sha ci u tar ne (Najeria); se nôngo tyav kpaa. Kpa ka a moughun yô i ya sha ne (ityough ki taregh) shi i per shin la (ityô tar). Hen kwa ne yô, nyon ne ie purugh yôigba heen. 

"De cian ga! Kwagh u atser se ka gomenti a posu ye. 

"Msugh u kpishi sha er u dugh yô. Aôndo a nau iveren.Mba ve lu nengen er ka beer kwagh la, mo mnenge nahanga.  "Uza wua nyam la u va ami tsô se bur. U ngu wan môm môm wase."

The Och'Idoma prayed God to enable Gbor win the 2019 Presidential election.

"I am overwhelmed by your presence at my Palace. You are the first presidential candidate to have called and I can only pray that God grant your heart desire. It is not easy, especially, for someone from Benue State to be a presidential candidate given the Nigerian politics." 

Earlier in December, 2028, Gen. Gbor had told his Ikyurav-Tiev kinsmen men: "I have the confidence that I am going to win. Tseayo (John A'Hemba) will be my eyes here in the state. As the Governor of my home state, Benue, Tseayo will have no reason to complain.

With the moves to consult very widely with the traditional institution, APGA Presisedntial Candidate is hoped to move to the northern part of the country and the eastern part where he would be meeting with the Emirs and the Ezes as well as the Amanyanabos in the South-South part of the nation in the coming days.