The Plateau State Government has clarified remarks made by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang during a recent engagement with leaders of the Igbo community, saying his comments have been taken out of context and misrepresented in public discourse.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Dr. Gyang Bere, the government acknowledged the concerns raised by Nigerians over the Governor’s remarks but maintained that they were intended to promote reconciliation, appreciation and national unity.
According to the statement, Governor Mutfwang’s address sought to recognize the resilience, enterprise and significant contributions of the Igbo community to the economic growth, social development and prosperity of Plateau State.
The government stressed that at no point did the Governor seek to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or disregard the historical realities of the Nigerian Civil War.
“The Governor’s remarks were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation and national unity. They were intended to acknowledge the enduring contributions of the Igbo community to Plateau State while encouraging all Nigerians to continue building bridges of mutual respect, understanding and peaceful coexistence,” the statement said.
The government noted that the memories of the Civil War remain an important part of Nigeria’s history and should be remembered with empathy, honesty and sensitivity, adding that they also serve as a reminder of the need to strengthen national unity rather than reopen old divisions.
The statement further highlighted Plateau State’s longstanding reputation as a peaceful home for people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, noting that successive administrations have sustained policies that encourage inclusion, investment and peaceful coexistence.
It referenced the leadership of former Plateau State Governor Joseph Dechi Gomwalk and the state’s first civilian governor, Chief Solomon Lar, describing their administrations as laying the foundation for the integration of diverse communities, particularly members of the Igbo community, who have continued to make significant contributions in commerce, education, healthcare, industry and other sectors.
The government also linked Governor Mutfwang’s position to Nigeria’s post-Civil War policy of “No Victor, No Vanquished” and the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (3Rs) programme championed by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, describing the policy as a globally recognized model for post-conflict reconciliation.
According to the statement, Governor Mutfwang remains committed to preserving Plateau State’s legacy of peaceful coexistence and believes that the state’s greatest strength lies in its diversity and the ability of its people to work together for shared prosperity.
It added that throughout his public service, the Governor has consistently promoted dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that his engagement with leaders of the Igbo community reflected those longstanding values.
The Plateau State Government therefore urged Nigerians to disregard interpretations that attribute meanings to the Governor’s remarks that were neither intended nor expressed, warning that such distortions could undermine efforts aimed at promoting unity and national cohesion.
The statement further called on citizens to resist attempts to inflame ethnic or regional divisions and instead embrace the values of justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
It reaffirmed Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of ethnicity, religion or place of origin, enjoys dignity, equal opportunity and a sense of belonging in Plateau State.
The statement was signed by Dr. Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, and dated July 29, 2026.