The Plateau State Government has appealed for calm following the recent High Court judgment on the issuance of certificates of indigeneship and residency in Jos North Local Government Area, urging residents and stakeholders to avoid actions or comments capable of heightening tensions among communities.
The government said parties dissatisfied with the judgment should pursue legal remedies through the appellate courts rather than resort to actions that could threaten public peace.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government expressed concern over the heated public debates and reactions generated by the court’s decision.
According to the statement, while citizens have the constitutional right to express their views on matters of public interest, such engagements must be conducted responsibly and within the bounds of the law.
The government noted that the Jos North Local Government Council, like any other party aggrieved by a judicial pronouncement, retains the legal right to challenge the judgment through the appropriate legal channels.
It reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and the independence of the judiciary, stressing that it would neither pre-judge nor publicly endorse or condemn the substance of a court decision.
The government also warned against attempts by individuals or groups to exploit the situation to incite hatred, sow division, promote suspicion or undermine the peaceful coexistence enjoyed in the state.
It further observed that issues surrounding indigeneship, citizenship and residency rights are longstanding national questions that have featured prominently in constitutional review processes, national conferences and policy discussions across the country.
According to the statement, the concerns raised by the judgment extend beyond Jos North Local Government Area and form part of broader national conversations affecting numerous communities and local government councils across the federation.
The state government appealed to community leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to resist attempts to politicise or misrepresent the matter in ways that could threaten social cohesion.
It also reassured residents of its commitment to justice, fairness, inclusion and the protection of the rights and dignity of every resident, irrespective of ethnic, religious or cultural background.