By PETER TITLE
The Plateau State Government has defended Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent remarks during a meeting with leaders of the Igbo community, saying they were made in the spirit of reconciliation, appreciation and national unity.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, said the government had noted public reactions to the governor’s comments but expressed concern that parts of his remarks had been taken out of context.
According to the statement, the governor’s comments were intended to recognise the resilience, enterprise and contributions of the Igbo community to the growth and development of Plateau State while encouraging mutual respect, understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
The government stressed that Governor Mutfwang did not seek to diminish the suffering experienced by any ethnic group during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the conflict as a significant chapter in the nation’s history that should be remembered with empathy and sensitivity.
It added that the lessons of the civil war should strengthen national unity rather than deepen old divisions.
The statement described Plateau State as a longstanding home for Nigerians of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, noting that successive administrations had promoted policies of inclusion that encouraged people from across the country, particularly members of the Igbo community, to live, work and invest in the state.
It credited former Military Governor Joseph Gomwalk and former Governor Solomon Lar for advancing policies that fostered peaceful coexistence and inclusiveness.
The government also linked Plateau’s inclusive tradition to 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.
According to the statement, the policy created an environment that enabled the Igbo community to make significant contributions to commerce, education, healthcare, industry and the overall development of Plateau State.
The government reaffirmed Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to preserving Plateau’s legacy of unity and inclusion, maintaining that the state’s greatest strength lies in its diversity and the ability of its people to transform their differences into shared prosperity.
It added that the governor has consistently promoted dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence throughout his public service and that his engagement with the Igbo community reflected those values.
The statement urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as misleading interpretations of the governor’s remarks, saying such narratives distract from the broader message of unity and national cohesion.
It also called on citizens to resist attempts to inflame ethnic or regional tensions and instead embrace justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The government reaffirmed Governor Mutfwang’s belief that every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity, religion or place of origin, deserves equal opportunity, dignity and a sense of belonging, adding that these principles would continue to guide his administration.