Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang over his reported apology to the Igbo community regarding the state’s role during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the remarks as a “reckless and irresponsible revision of history.”
Dalung made his position known in a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, following reports that Governor Mutfwang apologised during an interactive session with Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State at the Government House in Jos.
According to the governor, Plateau people were persuaded to participate in the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War, expressing regret over the state’s role in the conflict.
Reacting to the comments, Dalung argued that the assertion that Plateau people were merely “cajoled” into fighting was historically inaccurate and failed to recognise the circumstances that led to the civil war.
The former minister maintained that the conflict was rooted in the political crisis that followed the January 15, 1966 military coup, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, which claimed the lives of several political and military leaders from Northern and Western Nigeria.
He said the aftermath of the coup generated widespread resentment, culminating in the July 1966 counter-coup and eventually the outbreak of the civil war.
Dalung also questioned Governor Mutfwang’s authority to apologise on behalf of Plateau State, arguing that such a significant historical statement should have involved consultations with the state’s elders, traditional rulers, elected representatives and other stakeholders.
According to him, the governor’s remarks did not reflect the collective position of the people of Plateau State.
The former minister further noted that Plateau State also suffered losses during the 1966 political crisis, citing the death of Colonel James Pam, whom he described as one of the state’s distinguished military officers.
He also referenced former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, a native of Plateau State who led Nigeria throughout the civil war, suggesting that he would be better placed to comment on the subject if any apology were considered necessary.
Dalung said describing Plateau men who fought during the war as people who were simply persuaded into battle diminished their sacrifice and questioned their patriotism and personal conviction.
He disclosed that the issue was deeply personal to him, revealing that he lost two uncles who were sponsoring his education during the civil war.
According to him, he could not remain silent while the sacrifices of those who lost their lives were, in his view, being misrepresented.
Dalung called on Governor Mutfwang to withdraw the statement and apologise to the people of Plateau State within 72 hours.
He also urged residents of the state to continue living peacefully, stressing that the governor’s remarks should not be interpreted as the collective view of Plateau people.
Addressing the Igbo community in Plateau State, Dalung said the comments did not represent the position of the state’s people and warned that revisiting painful historical issues without broad consensus could undermine reconciliation efforts.
He concluded by urging political leaders to avoid exploiting ethnic and historical differences for political purposes and called for continued peace and unity across Plateau State.