…Ex-minister demands retraction within 72 hours
Solomon Dalung, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development under late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has faulted Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau State Governor’s apology to the Igbo community over the state’s purported role during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the governor’s remarks as historically inaccurate and demanding their withdrawal within 72 hours.
Dalung argued that Mutfwang’s assertion that Plateau people were cajoled into fighting during the 1967-1970 civil war lacked historical context and amounted to an attempt to diminish the sacrifices of Plateau indigenes who fought to preserve Nigeria’s unity.
The former minister made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page and sighted by BusinessDay on Friday while reacting to Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent apology to the Igbo community in Plateau State over the state’s role during the Nigerian civil war.
“I have read on several social media platforms a statement purportedly credited to the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, in which he reportedly apologised while addressing the Igbo community in Plateau State. According to the statement, the governor claimed that Plateau people were cajoled into fighting during the Nigerian Civil War. That assertion is completely bereft of historical context,” Dalung said.
“I am therefore giving Governor Mutfwang 72 hours to retract that statement and apologise to the people of Plateau State for embarking on such a reckless and irresponsible historical revision. This issue is personal to me. I lost two uncles during the civil war. They were the ones sponsoring my education. Their deaths significantly affected my educational progress. I cannot remain silent while someone suggests that my late uncles went to war because they were cajoled,” he added.
Dalung maintained that Plateau people had lived peacefully with the Igbo community for decades, noting that the community had made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the state and that there had been no fundamental conflict between both groups.
He also questioned Governor Mutfwang’s authority to apologise on behalf of Plateau people, asking whether the governor consulted elders, traditional rulers, elected representatives or the people before making the declaration.
The former minister further recalled the killing of James Pam, a colonel, during the 1966 political crisis, saying the late military officer’s family had never located his grave more than five decades after his death.
He argued that the sacrifices of Plateau sons, including those who fought during the civil war, should not be dismissed by suggesting they were merely persuaded into participating in the conflict.
Dalung also noted that Yakubu Gowon, a General and former Head of State who led Nigeria throughout the civil war, is still alive and would be in a better position to speak on issues relating to the conflict if any apology was considered necessary.
Governor Mutfwang had, during an interactive session with Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State, apologised to the Igbo community over the state’s role during the civil war and urged both sides to put the past behind them.
The governor said Plateau people were deceived into participating in the war by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon and stressed that the state and the Igbo community had become one family that should continue to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.
Mutfwang also commended the Igbo community for its contributions to Plateau’s socio-economic development, describing its members as partners in progress while urging Igbo entrepreneurs to mentor and employ indigenous youths.
Dalung, however, insisted that Mutfwang’s remarks did not represent the collective position of Plateau people and warned that reopening debates over the civil war could distract attention from the state’s prevailing security challenges.
He appealed to Plateau residents, regardless of ethnic or religious background, to continue living peacefully with one another, urging those behind the killings in parts of the state to abandon violence and embrace peace.
