Mutfwang’s civil war remarks taken out of context, says Plateau govt

The Plateau State Government has denied reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang apologised to the Igbo nation over the Nigerian Civil War, describing the reports as a misrepresentation of the governor’s remarks.

The governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, said in a statement that portions of Mutfwang’s speech were taken out of context and presented in a manner that did not reflect the substance of his remarks or his convictions.

The clarification followed media reports that emerged after the governor hosted Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State, with some reports suggesting that he apologised to the Igbo people over the experiences of the Nigerian Civil War.

However, Mr Bere said the governor’s remarks were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation and national unity and were intended to recognise the resilience, enterprise and contributions of the Igbo community to the development of Plateau State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Mutfwang’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,” the statement said.

The governor’s aide said Mutfwang did not seek to diminish the experiences of any ethnic group or alter the historical realities surrounding the Nigerian Civil War.

“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 part of our national history and deserve to be remembered with empathy, honesty and sensitivity,” Mr Bere said.

He added that the experiences of the civil war should serve as a reminder of the need to strengthen national unity rather than reopen divisions that Nigerians had worked over generations to heal.

“Equally, they remind us of the enduring responsibility to strengthen the bonds that unite us rather than reopen wounds that generations of Nigerians have worked hard to heal,” he added.

Mr Bere reaffirmed Mutfwang’s commitment to peace, national unity and inclusive governance, saying the governor believed that Plateau State’s diversity and the ability of its people to coexist peacefully remained among its greatest strengths.

He urged members of the public to disregard interpretations that attributed 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 and national cohesion that defined the engagement,” Mr Bere said.