Former Southeast Campaign Spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Josef Onoh, has applauded Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for extending a formal apology to the Igbo resident community, calling it a transformative step toward national unity and inter-regional stability.
​In a statement released in Enugu on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Onoh described Governor Mutfwang’s gesture as a rare act of courage in Nigerian politics, emphasizing that acknowledging historical pain is essential for building a truly integrated nation.
​Onoh highlighted the economic and socio-cultural bonds between the Southeast and the Middle Belt, noting that the Igbo business community has long been an integral part of Plateau State’s commercial landscape.
The reconciliation effort reassures non-indigene business owners, boosting commercial confidence across Jos and surrounding markets. The move sets a precedent for other state executives dealing with historical communal tensions.
A reconciliation will promote peaceful coexistence by addressing lingering grievances, the administration reduces the risk of political exploitation during sensitive periods.
​Responding to political pushback, specifically criticisms raised by former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung. Onoh urged political actors to refrain from using peaceful overtures as partisan leverage.
​”A state governor acts within his full constitutional mandate when taking steps to ensure peace and social harmony,” Onoh affirmed. “Ultimatums and political posturing only serve to reopen old wounds rather than heal them.”
Onoh concluded by calling on leaders across all geopolitical zones to emulate Governor Mutfwang’s inclusive approach, stressing that long-term security and economic progress depend on mutual respect and genuine dialogue among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
