Gondo Aluor
| Gondo Aluor | |
|---|---|
| Tor Tiv II | |
 | |
| Tor Tiv | |
| Reign | 12 December 1956 – 17 September 1978 |
| Predecessor | Makir Zakpe |
| Successor | Akperan Orshi |
| Born | 1906 present-day Logo, Northern Nigeria Protectorate |
| Died | 17 September 1978 (aged 71–72) Nigeria |
| House | Ichongo |
| Occupation | Teacher, administrator and traditional ruler |
His Royal Majesty, Orchiviligh Gondo Aluor (1906 – 17 September 1978) OON, commonly called Mallam Gondo Aluor, was a Nigerian traditional ruler who served as the second Tor Tiv, paramount ruler of the Tiv people, from 1956 until his death in 1978.[1] Prior to his accession to the throne, he served as a teacher and as the chief scribe and later deputy of the Tor Tiv of the Tiv Native Authority.[2][3]
Gondo Aluor's reign covered the last years of British colonial rule, the independence of Nigeria in 1960, the political turmoil in Tivland during the First Republic and the Nigerian Civil War, as well as the creation of Benue State in 1976. He was at the heart of the conflict between the Northern People's Congress (NPC) and the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) headed by Joseph Tarka when he was at the helm of the Tiv Native Authority.[4]
Early life and career
[edit]Gondo Aluor was born in 1906 and was a member of the Ichongo branch of Tiv genealogy, the section of the Ugondo branch. He was from what is now Logo Local Government Area of Benue State and had completed Middle IV education in the early 1920s; thereafter, he started teaching in 1924.[2]
In 1940, Gondo Aluor became the chief scribe of the Tiv Native Authority. As such, he was involved in the establishment of the developing central administration established by the British for the Tiv, who had traditionally had a decentralised political organization.[2][5]
Gondo Aluor became one of the two leading contenders for the office of Tor Tiv when it was created in 1946. He was from the Ichongo lineage, and Makir Zakpe, who was a former soldier, was from the Ipusu lineage. Aluor remained in the Native Authority administration and in 1948 was appointed deputy Tor Tiv to replace Zakpe, who was chosen as the first Tor Tiv.[6][2]
Gondo Aluor later joined partisan politics and was elected to represent Abinsi/Logo in the federal House of Representatives. In October 1956, Zakpe died, and Aluor was selected as Tor Tiv to succeed Makir Zakpe. He was later replaced in a by-election in the federal House of Representatives by Peter Toryila Kpagh.[3]
Tor Tiv
[edit]Selection and installation
[edit]In December 1956, Gondo Aluor became the second Tor Tiv. His appearance was seen as an example of the Tiv concept of ya na angbian, which translates to "a person who has benefited should give his brother a similar opportunity." Gondo's choice brought the office to the Ichongo lineage, as Zakpe was a member of the Ipusu lineage.[6][7]
Gondo presided over the Tiv Native Authority and Tiv Central Council as Tor Tiv. These institutions had administrative and judicial functions in Tivland within the framework of the regional system inherited from colonial rule. He was also recognised as one of the principal traditional rulers of the old Benue Province and made a member of the Northern Region's House of Chiefs, and later, chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs.[8]
First Republic politics
[edit]Gondo's early rule coincided with growing political tension between the Northern Regional Government, dominated by the NPC, and the UMBC, a Middle Belt party led by Joseph Tarka. The UMBC received enormous support from the Tiv and challenged the political power of the NPC and regional Native Authority system.[4]
After the 1959 Nigerian parliamentary elections, when the UMBC–AG alliance swept the seven federal constituencies of the Tiv Division, the existing council of the Tiv Native Authority was dissolved and replaced by a council headed by Aluor. The reconstituted council has been described by scholars as having a more pro-NPC attitude. The Native Authority and Aluor were then accused by the supporters of UMBC of using administrative powers and the Native Authority Police against their political opponents, while other sources suggest that the Northern regional government forced the Native Authority and Gondo to back the NPC.[4]
These tensions led to violent disturbances in Tivland in 1960 and 1964. The first, called Nande-Nande, was an attack on Native Authority officials and the burning of property. The second, called Atem Ityough, developed amid continuing disputes over elections, political representation and the conduct of the Native Authority Police. His political differences with Tarka continued through much of the First Republic.[9]
After the military coup of January 1966, the regional political system came to an end. Gondo continued to be Tor Tiv in the new Benue-Plateau State until 1967, when Benue State was created. He became the chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs.
Death and succession
[edit]Gondo died on 17 September 1978 after about 22 years on the throne.[1] His death created a vacancy that lasted until March 1979, when James Akperan Orshi of the Ipusu lineage was installed as the third Tor Tiv.[7][10]
Legacy
[edit]Gondo was the first Tor Tiv from the ruling lineage of Ichongo, and the only one who challenged the 1946 selection and later sat on the stool. His rule was one of the longest in the history of the institution and spanned the period of transition from colonial rule to independence and the emergence of Tiv politics in the Nigerian federation.
His career also saw the evolution of the Tor Tiv institution. The office was created by the colonial government as part of the centralised Native Authority government and became a symbol of Tiv identity and unity during and after Gondo's reign. A road in Gboko was named after him, Gondo Aluor Way.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Anawah, J. J. (29 December 2015). "Tor Tiv Stool: Why Shitile of Sankera Clan Deserves the Throne". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Aluor, Malam Gondo". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- 1 2 Tsav, Simeon; Ushie, Charles (2016). "Understanding Tiv Political Behaviour: The Tiv Song Theatre as an Index". Makurdi Journal of Arts and Culture. 13 (1): 218–236. ISSN 1117-3440.
- 1 2 3 Vaaseh, Godwin A.; Ehinmore, O. M. (2011). "Ethnic Politics and Conflicts in Nigeria's First Republic". Canadian Social Science. 7 (3): 213–220.
- 1 2 Adega, Andrew Philips; Gbenda, Joseph Shinyi; Myom, Cynthia Shater (2021). "Ator A Zan Adua (Christian Traditional Rulers) and Tiv Culture in the 21st Century". International Journal of Culture and History. 8 (2): 16–34. doi:10.5296/ijch.v8i2.18915.
- 1 2 Gbamwuan, Asor (1 September 2017). Contemporary History of Post-Election Violence in Nigeria: A Focus on Tiv Society. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing. pp. 42–53. ISBN 978-3659880681.
- 1 2 Gaadi, Iorbee Ihagh (5 December 2016). "On a new Tor Tiv". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ Northern Parliamentary Debates: House of Chiefs, 1959–1960 (PDF). Northern Region Legislature. 1960. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ "Tiv traditional council invitation to Akume: A fallacy". Daily Trust. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ "Benue agog as new Tor Tiv mounts throne". Daily Trust. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2026.