The Plateau State Government has clarified that Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s recent remarks during an interaction with leaders of the Igbo community were aimed at promoting national unity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, and not an attempt to revise or diminish the history of the Nigerian Civil War.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Dr. Gyang Bere, the government said it had taken note of the various reactions generated by the Governor’s comments during the courtesy visit by leaders of the Igbo community to the Government House in Jos.
The statement acknowledged the concerns expressed by many Nigerians seeking clarification but expressed regret that portions of the Governor’s remarks had been deliberately taken out of context and misrepresented in a manner that did not reflect either the substance of the engagement or the Governor’s convictions.
According to the statement, Governor Mutfwang’s comments were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation and national unity, acknowledging the resilience, enterprise and enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the growth, prosperity and social fabric of Plateau State while encouraging all Nigerians to continue building bridges of mutual respect, understanding and peaceful coexistence.
The government stressed that at no time did the Governor seek to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or trivialize the historical realities of the Nigerian Civil War.
It noted that while the scars of the war remain an important part of Nigeria’s history and should be remembered with empathy, honesty and sensitivity, they should also serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility to strengthen national unity rather than reopen old wounds.
The statement further highlighted Plateau State’s longstanding reputation as one of Nigeria’s foremost examples of peaceful coexistence, where people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds have continued to live, work, worship and invest peacefully.
It recalled that successive administrations, beginning with the late Governor Joseph Dechi Gomwalk through the administration of Chief Solomon Daushep Lar and other leaders, had sustained an inclusive tradition that made Plateau State a welcoming home for all Nigerians, particularly members of the Igbo community residing outside the South-East.
According to the government, this enduring legacy aligns with the historic “No Victor, No Vanquished” declaration and the policy of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (3Rs) championed by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, which provided the foundation for national healing and post-war reconstruction.
The statement observed that the Igbo community had, over the years, made remarkable contributions to commerce, education, healthcare, industry and the overall development of Plateau State within an atmosphere of peace and acceptance.
Reaffirming Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to preserving that legacy, the government stated that his administration believes Plateau State’s greatest strength lies in its ability to transform its rich diversity into unity, shared prosperity and collective progress.
It added that throughout his public service, Governor Mutfwang has consistently advocated dialogue over division, reconciliation over resentment and hope over hostility, noting that his engagement with the Igbo leadership was entirely consistent with those principles.
The government urged members of the public to disregard interpretations that seek to assign meanings to the Governor’s remarks that were neither intended nor expressed, stressing that such distortions only distract from the broader message of unity, appreciation, reconciliation and national cohesion.
It further called on Nigerians to resist attempts to inflame ethnic or regional divisions and instead draw strength from the country’s shared history, celebrate its diversity and recommit themselves to building a nation founded on justice, mutual respect, equal opportunity and peaceful coexistence.
The statement reaffirmed Governor Mutfwang’s belief that every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or place of origin, deserves dignity, equal opportunity and a genuine sense of belonging, adding that these principles will continue to define his leadership and vision for Plateau State.
The Plateau State Government also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their understanding, goodwill and continued commitment to the unity, peace and progress of the nation.
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