The Plateau State Government has officially called for calm and restraint following intense public reactions to a recent High Court judgment regarding the issuance of indigene and residency certificates in the Jos North Local Government Area.
The administration expressed deep concern over the escalating tension, heated debates, and divisive commentaries that have emerged in the wake of the judicial decision.
In a formal statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government reminded citizens that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it must not be used to jeopardize regional stability. The state urged any aggrieved parties to utilize the appropriate legal channels rather than turning to public provocation.
“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 government firmly warned individuals and interest groups against capitalizing on the sensitive ruling to fracture the peace that the state has spent years cultivating.
“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.”
Furthermore, the statement contextualized the ruling, pointing out that debates surrounding indigeneship, citizenship, and residency rights are complex, historical issues embedded in broader Nigerian constitutional discussions. The government noted it is counterproductive to reduce these multifaceted national challenges to a single local government area.
The Plateau State Government concluded its message by appealing directly to community and religious leaders, youth organizations, and civil society groups to actively champion peace, resist the politicization of the court’s decision, and maintain social cohesion across all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
