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Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has condemned Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, over a purported apology to the Igbo community regarding the Nigerian Civil War, describing it as “reckless and irresponsible historical revision.”
Dalung made his stance known in a lengthy statement shared on Facebook on Friday.
The Plateau governor offered the apology during an interactive session with Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of the state at the Government House, Jos, according to a report by The Guardian on Monday.
Mutfwang reportedly apologised for the role the state played during the war, saying its people were cajoled into joining the conflict.
In his statement, Dalung said the claim that Plateau people were “cajoled” into fighting during the 1967-1970 civil war “is completely bereft of historical context”.
The lawyer-turned-politician said, “At best, it reflects a poor understanding of history; at worst, it is an ambitious attempt to discredit the sacrifices of great Plateau sons, many of whom laid down their lives in defence of Nigeria’s unity.”
Dalung argued that the remote cause of the war was the January 15, 1966 coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, which resulted in the killing of political and military leaders from Northern and Western Nigeria.
He said the composition of the coup’s actors created resentment that led to the July counter-coup and eventually the civil war.
He questioned Mutfwang’s authority to apologise on behalf of the state, noting that the governor was born in Zaria, grew up in Kaduna State, and “had not lived continuously in Plateau State for even ten years before becoming governor.”
“On whose authority did he make such an apology?” Dalung asked. “Did he consult the elders of Plateau State? Did he consult traditional rulers? Did he consult elected representatives, members of the National Assembly, the State Assembly, or the people themselves? This is executive arrogance.”
The ex-minister said Plateau State also suffered losses during the 1966 crisis, citing the murder of Colonel James Pam, “one of Plateau’s finest military officers,” who was killed in Lagos.
He added that General Yakubu Gowon, who led Nigeria throughout the civil war, is a son of Plateau State and would be in a better position to speak on the matter if any apology was necessary.
“To describe the gallant Plateau men who sacrificed their lives for Nigeria as people who were merely ‘cajoled’ into fighting is a grave injustice,” Dalung said. “It insults their memories, dishonours those who survived the war, and suggests they lacked the intelligence, conviction, or patriotism to make decisions for themselves. If they were truly cajoled, then by whom? Governor Mutfwang should tell Nigerians who cajoled them.”
Dalung disclosed that the issue is personal to him, stating he lost two uncles who were sponsoring his education during the war.
“I am therefore a victim of that war. I cannot remain silent while someone suggests that my late uncles went to war because they were cajoled. Cajoled by whom?” he said.
He gave Governor Mutfwang 72 hours to retract the statement and apologise to the people of Plateau State.
Dalung also appealed to Plateau residents to continue living peacefully, saying Mutfwang’s statement “does not represent the collective position of Plateau people” and risks reopening old wounds at a time the state faces security challenges.
“To our Igbo brothers and sisters in Plateau State, I wish to make it clear that Governor Mutfwang’s statement does not represent the collective position of Plateau people. Rather than promoting reconciliation, it unnecessarily resurrects painful memories that our people have long chosen to leave behind,” he said.
He urged politicians not to “weaponise our diversity for political gain” and called for an end to violence across Plateau communities.
