Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.
By Pamson Musa
The Plateau State government has called for calm among citizens following the recent judgment of a state High Court, which granted indigenship status to the Hausa/Fulani settler communities in Jos North Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Joyce Ramnap.
It said that Government was deeply concerned by the manner in which the subject had generated heated public debates and commentaries.
The state government noted that the issue was capable of heightening tension among communities that had coexisted peacefully for decades.
It therefore urged all parties to allow the due process of law to take its full course without resorting to actions or statements capable of undermining public peace and harmony.
The statement reads in full as follows:
The Plateau State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has taken note of the various public commentaries, concerns, and reactions expressed by citizens and stakeholders following the recent judgment of the Plateau State High Court in a matter involving Jos North Local Government Council and the issuance of certificates of indigeneship and residency.
Government is deeply concerned by the manner in which the subject has generated heated public debates and commentaries capable of heightening tension among communities that have coexisted peacefully for decades.
While recognizing the constitutional right of citizens to express their views on matters of public interest, Government urges all individuals, groups, and stakeholders to exercise restraint, responsibility, and caution in their public engagements on this matter.
It is important to emphasize that the Jos North Local Government Council, like any other party dissatisfied with a judicial pronouncement, retains the constitutional and legal right to seek redress through the appellate process.
As such, all parties should allow the due process of law to take its full course without resorting to actions or statements capable of undermining public peace and harmony.
The Plateau State Government remains firmly committed to the rule of law, constitutionalism, and the independence of the Judiciary.
We will continue to provide an enabling environment in which all residents can lawfully pursue their legitimate activities while respecting the local customs, values, and traditions.
Government will not stand by and allow individuals or groups with vested interests to exploit the current situation to incite hatred, sow division, promote suspicion, or undermine the peaceful coexistence that Plateau State has worked hard to build and sustain over the years.
As a responsible government, we cannot pre-judge, endorse, or condemn the substance of a judicial decision through public commentary.
The separation of powers, which is fundamental to our democratic system, requires respect for the decisions of the courts and the legal processes available for reviewing such decisions.
Where any party or affected Local Government Council is dissatisfied with the judgment, the law provides clear and accessible avenues for redress, including the right of appeal.
We therefore urge all concerned parties to pursue any grievances strictly within the ambit of the law.
Government further notes that the issues of indigeneship, citizenship, residency rights, and the status of persons born and resident in locations other than their ancestral states or local government areas have long been subjects of constitutional, legal, and scholarly discourse across Nigeria.
These matters have featured prominently in deliberations at various National Conferences, constitutional review exercises, and policy discussions over the years.
Consequently, it would be inappropriate to isolate or reduce these complex national issues to a single Local Government Area in Plateau State.
The questions raised by the judgment transcend Jos North Local Government Area and are part of broader national conversations that affect numerous communities and local government councils across the Federation.
The Plateau State Government therefore calls on all residents, community leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to preserving the peace and unity of our state.
We must collectively resist any attempt to politicize, misrepresent, or weaponize this matter in ways that could threaten social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Government reassures the people of Plateau State of its unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, inclusion, and the protection of the rights and dignity of every resident, irrespective of ethnic, religious, or cultural background.
We remain dedicated to fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, understanding, and shared prosperity for all.
