The Plateau State Government has defended Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent remarks to leaders of the Igbo community, saying they were meant to promote reconciliation, national unity and recognise the community’s contributions to the state’s development.
The government issued the clarification following reactions to the Governor’s comments during a courtesy visit by leaders of the Igbo community to the Government House in Jos.
In a statement on Wednesday, the government said the remarks had been taken out of context, insisting they neither sought to downplay the experiences of any ethnic group nor distort the history of the Nigerian Civil War.
It explained that Mutfwang’s comments were intended to appreciate the resilience, enterprise and contributions of the Igbo community to Plateau State’s economic and social development, while encouraging peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among Nigerians.
The government noted that Plateau has long been home to people from different ethnic groups, particularly the Igbo community, attributing this to the inclusive policies of past leaders, including former military governor Joseph Gomwalk and former Governor Solomon Lar.
According to the statement, the state’s tradition of inclusion was strengthened by the post-Civil War “No Victor, No Vanquished” policy and the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (3Rs) programme introduced by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. It added that the policy created an environment that enabled the Igbo community to contribute significantly to commerce, education, healthcare, industry and other sectors in the state.
The government maintained that Governor Mutfwang remains committed to preserving that legacy through policies that promote unity, equal opportunities and a sense of belonging for all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, religion or place of origin.
It also urged Nigerians to reject attempts to fuel ethnic or regional divisions and instead embrace the country’s diversity while working together to build a nation founded on justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.