By Abubakar M. Kareto
Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent public apology to the Igbo community in Jos represents a troubling attempt to rewrite Nigeria’s sovereign history. During an interactive session at the Government House, the Plateau State Governor asserted that the people of the Middle Belt were “deceived” into participating in the 1967 – 1970 Nigerian Civil War on the side of the Federal Government. Framing an existential national struggle through a partisan lens of historical deception actively reopens old national wounds and undermines the fragile architecture of Nigerian unity. This statement completely disregards the foundational post-war policy of “No Victor, No Vanquish,” famously declared in January 1970 by General Yakubu Gowon, a proud son of Kanke in Plateau State who led the nation to preserve its territorial integrity.
To suggest that an entire geopolitical bloc was merely “cajoled” or manipulated into military service trivializes the severe constitutional breakdowns, regional tensions, and security imperatives that defined the late 1960s. The mobilization of Middle Belt officers and men into the Nigerian Armed Forces was rooted in a strategic commitment to national indivisibility. This stance was heavily championed by key regional figures of that era, including Colonel Joseph Gomwalk, the pioneer Military Governor of Benue-Plateau State.
By reducing the principled military and civic commitments of an entire generation to mere “deception,” Governor Mutfwang dismisses the historical context of the crisis. Such claims insult the memory of fallen veterans and delegitimize the institutional sacrifices made to keep Nigeria united. Furthermore, Governor Mutfwang lacks both the historical standing and the moral authority to issue such a sweeping condemnation on behalf of past generations.
Born well after the conclusion of the civil war, the governor was nowhere near the complex geopolitical calculations, high-stakes diplomacy, and military operations that dictated the decisions of that era. Passing retroactively ignorant judgment on monumental historical events demonstrates a fundamental lack of depth expected from an executive state leader. History cannot be treated as a malleable political tool to be reshaped at will during routine stakeholder meetings.
The timing and setting of this declaration further reveal its underlying political expediency. That this historical “apology” coincided directly with an interactive session where local leaders offered political endorsements highlights a dangerous trend in modern governance. Using sensitive national history as a bargaining tool to curry localized political favor degrades serious statecraft. Instead of addressing pressing sub-national challenges such as rural insecurity, inter-communal conflict resolution, and economic development across Plateau State, such political gimmicks serve only to fan the flames of ethnic grievance and national disunity.
The broader implication of this rhetoric is the erosion of historical truth within our public discourse. The Nigerian Civil War was a national tragedy born of complex political failures, military coups, and ethnic distrust, affecting every region of the federation. Reopening these painful chapters without scholarly rigor or historical balance creates unnecessary division between regions that have spent decades building socio-economic ties. Responsible leadership requires safeguarding state stability and respecting established national reconciliation frameworks, rather than weaponizing tragic historical chapters to pander to specific interest groups.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s democratic journey demands leaders who prioritize national stability over short-term populist appeal. Apologies issued without proper authority or historical grounding do not foster genuine reconciliation; instead, they deepen suspicion and undermine the very national cohesion they claim to advance. As the nation continues to navigate complex political and economic hurdles, state executives must rise above inflammatory declarations and focus on governance that unites, builds, and honors the shared sacrifices of all Nigerians.
About the Author:
Abubakar M. Kareto is a Public Affairs Analyst and Strategic Communications Specialist focusing on Nigerian and African governance, public policy, and socio-political dynamics. He can be reached via amkareto@gmail.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @amkareto.
