The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has stated that his remarks during a courtesy visit by the Igbo community in the state to his office, including his apology over the atrocities of the Civil War, were deliberately taken out of context and presented in ways that did not reflect the substance of the conversation.
He said that while he appreciated the concerns raised, his remarks were intended to acknowledge the resilience, enterprise, and enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the growth, prosperity, and social fabric of Plateau State.
In a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, the governor averred that at no time did he seek to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or the historical realities surrounding Nigeria’s Civil War. He added that the scars of that period remain part of the nation’s history and deserve to be remembered with empathy, honesty, and sensitivity.
He noted that for decades, Plateau State has proudly stood as one of Nigeria’s foremost examples of peaceful coexistence among diverse peoples. According to him, successive administrations have sustained this tradition by creating an environment where Nigerians from every region can live, work, worship, invest, and flourish, thereby strengthening the bonds of partnership.
“From the heroic and exemplary integration efforts of the foundation-laying J.D. Gomwalk to the excellent emancipatory vision of Chief Solomon Lar, and through successive administrations thereafter, Plateau State has historically served as a welcoming home for Ndi Igbo, especially outside the South-East.
“Indeed, this progressive spirit of inclusion, championed by the worthy predecessors of Governor Mutfwang, directly aligns with the ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ declaration and the policy of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (3Rs), as courageously espoused by our distinguished statesman, General Yakubu Gowon.”
He stated that General Gowon’s steadfast devotion to the approach has been recognised globally as a model for post-war reconstruction, adding that the Ndi Igbo community has leveraged this opportunity to make invaluable contributions to commerce, education, healthcare, industry, and the overall development of Plateau State.
The governor further stated that his administration remains firmly committed to preserving and strengthening that legacy. He stressed that his administration believes Plateau’s greatest strength lies not in the differences among its people but in their ability to transform diversity into unity and shared prosperity.
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