President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday hosted a high-level delegation of Plateau State stakeholders at the State House, where renewed commitments were made towards ending recurring violence in the state.
The President urged leaders from Plateau State to return home and take deliberate steps to promote peace, tolerance, and unity, stressing that lasting stability can only be achieved through collective responsibility and sincere dialogue.
He tasked the delegation, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, with reviewing existing government White Papers on past security crises and developing practical, implementable recommendations for federal consideration.
The meeting, which lasted about three hours, brought together a 32-man delegation comprising current and former political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security figures, and youth representatives.
Among those present were APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda; former governors Senator Simon Lalong, Senator Jonah Jang, Chief Joshua Dariye, and Sir Fidelis Tapgun; the Emir of Wase, HRM Mohammed Haruna; the Gbong Gwon Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba; and other key stakeholders from the state.
Participants identified long-standing drivers of conflict in Plateau State, including indigene-settler tensions, religion, ethnicity, and farmer-herder clashes, and pledged renewed commitment to peacebuilding.
President Tinubu emphasized tolerance and accountability among leaders, warning against actions that could fuel division and violence.
“No protocols, no hindrances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos. Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?” he said.
He called on leaders to take responsibility in addressing underlying causes of conflict and to ensure that individuals inciting violence are identified and brought to justice.
The President directed stakeholders to hold follow-up meetings in Plateau State, review previous gazetted recommendations, and ensure implementation of White Paper reports, while forwarding unresolved issues for federal attention.
He also reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the state and stressed the importance of justice, fairness, and inclusion across all communities.
During the meeting, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Mohammed Dorro, announced that President Tinubu had approved N2 billion in relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the meeting as historic, noting that it brought together all former governors of Plateau State in a unified peace effort for the first time.
He said stakeholders were determined to close divisions and strengthen unity across religious and ethnic lines in the state.
The Gbong Gwon Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, called for improved security presence, installation of CCTV systems, and stronger steps toward the establishment of state policing.
He also appealed for the safe return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes ahead of the rainy season and commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian support to victims of violence in the state.
Other stakeholders, including youth representatives from Christian and Muslim communities, pledged collaboration in peace efforts, while former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase called for strict enforcement of the rule of law and highlighted drug abuse as a contributing factor to insecurity.
