Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has apologised to the Igbo community for the role played by the state during the Nigerian Civil War, saying the people of Plateau were misled into participating in the conflict.
The governor made the remarks during an interactive meeting with leaders of the Igbo community drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state at the Government House in Jos over the weekend.
Mutfwang called for reconciliation and urged both communities to put the painful memories of the civil war behind them in the interest of national unity and peaceful coexistence.
He praised the Igbo community for its significant contributions to the economic and social development of Plateau State, describing its members as indispensable partners in the state’s growth.
According to the governor, Plateau has remained one of the most welcoming states for the Igbo people since the end of the civil war, noting that compensation had been paid to some victims who suffered losses during the conflict.
“I apologise to the Igbo people so that we can put the past behind us. Our people were deceived into going to war, and we regret it. We are one family today, and it is important that we continue to build on that relationship,” Mutfwang said.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between Plateau indigenes and the Igbo community, urging them to work together to create an environment where businesses and investments can flourish.
The governor also encouraged Igbo entrepreneurs operating in the state to mentor and employ young Plateau residents, saying such partnerships would boost economic development and reduce unemployment.
He described the Igbo as one of Nigeria’s most entrepreneurial ethnic groups and urged them to extend their business expertise to the benefit of the state’s younger generation.
In response, leaders of the Igbo community endorsed Mutfwang for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing his inclusive leadership style and commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The endorsement was announced by the President-General of the Igbo Community in Plateau State, Chief Chidi Onah, who said the decision reflected the community’s confidence in the governor’s leadership.
According to Onah, Mutfwang has demonstrated fairness, integrity and a commitment to creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
He also commended the governor for standing with the community during difficult periods, including the death of its traditional ruler, and for promoting harmony among the state’s diverse ethnic groups.
Former President-General of the Igbo Community Association, Chief Mike Ifeanyi Okunonke, also pledged the community’s support for the governor’s re-election, saying members would back him based on his performance rather than political party affiliation.
Okunonke said the governor had shown capacity through policies aimed at expanding economic opportunities and tackling unemployment, adding that the Igbo community would mobilise support for him across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Igbo Affairs, Barrister Jonah Okechukwu Ezekweme, commended Mutfwang for fostering an enabling environment for the Igbo community and urged members to continue supporting the administration’s development agenda.
The event also featured the formal presentation of the new President-General of the Igbo Community Association, Chief Chidi Onah, by his predecessor, Chief Mike Ifeanyi Okunonke.
Other community leaders, including Chief Nelson Mkparu and Hon. Maureen Odilimuo, praised the governor’s inclusive approach to governance and pledged continued collaboration with the Plateau State Government to promote peace, unity and sustainable development.