Tinubu begs Plateau residents for forgiveness

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to residents of Plateau State to forgive him for failing to visit communities devastated by recurring attacks during his previous visit to the state, promising that his administration would rebuild destroyed settlements and ensure the safe return of displaced persons.

Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Jos, where he acknowledged the suffering caused by persistent violence and assured affected residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and stability.

The President admitted that his visit to Plateau in April was restricted to the airport, despite the destruction and humanitarian crisis confronting several communities.

He said he had received reports from Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the extent of the devastation and could see the anguish of affected residents.

“When I last visited the other time, I was limited to the airport. Forgive me if you didn’t see me in the hinterland, but I saw the devastation. I got the report from the governor. I saw horror in the faces of our people,” Tinubu said.

He assured residents displaced by the attacks that the government would reconstruct their communities and create the conditions necessary for their return.

Tinubu also disclosed that he had directed security agencies to take decisive action to tackle insecurity and sustain peace across the state.

“But since then, that has changed. We are forging together. It is now that we can rebuild and I assure those displaced that we will rebuild your communities.

“We will rebuild your communities, and we will bring you back to your community. I have directed all the security agencies to take decisive action and sustain peace and stability on the Plateau,” he added.

The President further called on the people of Plateau to embrace peaceful coexistence, urging them not to allow ethnic, linguistic and other differences to create divisions among communities.

He maintained that residents shared a common humanity and must work collectively to restore the state’s stability and contribute to national development.

“We are one single family created by the same God Almighty. We are just living in different rooms, speaking different languages and behaving any way we want.

“But living in different rooms and speaking different languages does not make us enemies of one another. We have to live together. We have to farm together.

“We have to build this Plateau and this country together. It is our responsibility to tie our horns, behave as brothers and sisters, belonging to the same God Almighty,” the President said.

The President’s latest remarks come about seven months after his April visit to Plateau State, which followed the March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, where at least 27 people were reportedly killed.

During that visit, Tinubu met with families of victims, community leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders at a facility near Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang.