By Polycarp Auta

The Plateau State Government has clarified recent apology allegedly tendered to members of the Igbo community over Nigeria’s civil war by Governor Caleb Mutfwang

The clarification followed criticisms of Mutfwang over the apology tendered during a recent interactive session with Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of the state at the Government House in Jos.

Mutfwang had at the event tendered an apology to the Igbo community over the alleged role played by Plateau state during the Nigerian/Biafran civil war which lasted from 1967 to 1970.

The Governor said Plateau people were deceived into participating in the war by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, an indigene of the state who was Nigeria’s head of state at the time of the war.

“I apologise to the Igbos so that we can put the past behind us and continue to foster unity,” Mutfwang said at the event.

However, not every indigene of Plateau State agrees with the governor on the need for such apology.

For one, a former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, faulted Mutfwang.

He said the governor lacked the moral and constitutional authority to apologise to Igbo people on behalf of the people of Plateau.

According to the former Minister, the governor’s remarks did not reflect the collective position of the people of the state.

However, Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA) to Mutfwang said in a statement on Wednesday that remarks of the governor to the Igbo Community was misrepresented and taken out of context.

In the statement issued in Jos, Bere said the governor’s remarks was aimed at building broken bridges and fostering peaceful coexistence.

“The governor’s remarks were intended at building deeper trust, understanding and unity among Nigerians.

“We appreciate the genuine concerns expressed by many well-meaning Nigerians who have reached out for 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 convictions of the governor.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mutfwang’s remarks were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation and national unity.

“The intent is to acknowledge the resilience, enterprise and enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the growth, prosperity and social fabric of Plateau,” he said

The DOPPA insisted that at no point did the governor wished to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or the historical realities surrounding the civil war.

Bere said that Mutfwang remained a firm advocate of national unity.

He called on Plateau residents, irrespective of tribe and religion to support his administration towards building a peaceful, united and virile society.