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.