The Office of the Governor of Plateau State has taken note of the various reactions following Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s recent interaction with leaders of the Igbo community during their courtesy visit to the Government House, Jos.
We appreciate the genuine concerns expressed by many well-meaning Nigerians who have sought clarification. However, we are equally concerned that portions of the Governor’s remarks have been deliberately taken out of context and presented in ways that neither reflect the substance of the conversation nor the deeply held convictions of Governor Mutfwang.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor’s remarks were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation, and national unity. They were intended to acknowledge the resilience, enterprise, and enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the growth, prosperity, and social fabric of Plateau State, while encouraging all Nigerians to continue building bridges of mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.
At no point did the Governor seek to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or the historical realities surrounding Nigeria’s Civil War. The scars of that period remain an integral part of our national history and should always be remembered with empathy, honesty, and sensitivity. They also remind us of our enduring responsibility to strengthen the bonds that unite us rather than reopen wounds that generations of Nigerians have worked hard to heal.
For decades, Plateau State has stood as one of Nigeria’s foremost examples of peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups. Successive administrations have nurtured this legacy by creating an environment where Nigerians from every region can live, work, worship, invest, and flourish. From the visionary leadership of the late Joseph Dechi Gomwalk, whose administration laid the foundation for inclusive governance, to the emancipatory vision of Chief Solomon Lar, and through successive administrations thereafter, Plateau State has remained a welcoming home for all Nigerians, particularly the Igbo community outside the South-East.
This enduring culture of inclusion aligns with the historic “No Victor, No Vanquished” declaration and the policy of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (3Rs) championed by Nigeria’s distinguished statesman, General Yakubu Gowon, following the Civil War. His commitment to national healing remains widely recognised as a model of post-war reconciliation. The Igbo community has, in turn, made remarkable contributions to commerce, education, healthcare, industry, and the overall socio-economic development of Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang remains firmly committed to preserving and strengthening this legacy. His administration believes that Plateau’s greatest strength lies not in the differences among its people but in their collective ability to transform diversity into unity, innovation, and shared prosperity. This conviction continues to guide both his words and his policies.
Throughout his public service, Governor Mutfwang has consistently championed dialogue over division, reconciliation over resentment, and hope over hostility. His engagement with the leadership of the Igbo community was entirely consistent with these enduring values and with Plateau State’s longstanding tradition of embracing all Nigerians who choose to call the state home.
We therefore urge members of the public to disregard interpretations that seek to assign meanings to the Governor’s remarks that were neither intended nor expressed. Such distortions serve no constructive purpose and only distract from the broader message of unity, gratitude, reconciliation, and national cohesion that defined the engagement.
At a time when our nation faces significant challenges, Nigerians must resist every attempt to inflame ethnic or regional divisions. Instead, we should draw strength from our shared history, celebrate our diversity, and recommit ourselves to building a nation founded on justice, mutual respect, equal opportunity, and peaceful coexistence.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang remains unwavering in his belief that every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or place of origin, deserves dignity, equal opportunity, and a genuine sense of belonging. These principles will continue to define his leadership and shape his vision for a peaceful, united, and prosperous Plateau State.
We thank all Nigerians for their understanding, goodwill, and continued commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation.
God bless Plateau State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gyang Bere, PhD
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
29 July 2026