By Ogochukwu Isioma
Leaders from Plateau State have committed to pursuing lasting peace following an interactive session with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
At the meeting, which followed recent violence in parts of the state, the President urged stakeholders to return home with renewed resolve to end recurring crises and foster unity across communities.
“No protocols, no hindrances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” Tinubu said.
“I have heard the leaders. Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace? Let us first of all accept one resolution, tolerance for every inhabitant.”
The President tasked leaders to revisit previous government White Papers on security crises and come up with practical and implementable solutions.
“As leaders, you must go back home, summon a leadership meeting among yourselves, review the previous recommendations and agree to implement the White Paper. Bring to my attention any knotty issue and propose implementable resolutions,” he added.
He warned against the manipulation of divisions such as ethnicity, religion and indigeneship, stressing the need for inclusive leadership.
“To stop creating orphans, widows and widowers, there must be enduring peace in the state,” the President said, while calling on authorities to identify and prosecute those instigating violence.
The meeting, attended by a 32-member delegation led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, security stakeholders and youth representatives.
Among those present were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, former governors including Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye and Fidelis Tapgun, as well as traditional leaders such as the Emir of Wase, Mohammed Haruna.
During the session, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mohammed Dorro, announced that the Federal Government had approved N2 billion in relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North.
In his remarks, Governor Mutfwang expressed appreciation to the President for convening the meeting and pledged the commitment of leaders in the state to chart a new path towards peace.
“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the plateau. We are determined more than ever to close all our gaps, rise above divides of religion and ethnicity, and build a state we can all be proud of,” he said.
“Having gathered this momentum, we assure you that we will build on it to tell a better story in the years to come. We want to turn conflict into progress and bring our people out of poverty.”
The Gbong Gwon Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba, also commended the President’s efforts and called for additional security measures, including deployment of more troops and installation of surveillance systems.
Youth representatives at the meeting, drawn from both Christian and Muslim communities, pledged to work together in support of peace efforts, while other stakeholders stressed the need for sincerity, justice and strict enforcement of the rule of law.
The Presidency said the meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to address the root causes of violence in Plateau and restore lasting stability to the state.
