Governor urges unity as Bashar chiefdom opens a new chapter of peace and development

Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called on Bashar Chiefdom to set aside its long-running leadership dispute and begin what he described as a new era of unity, peace and development.

Mutfwang made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the newly reinstated Reckna of Bashar, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris, at the New Government House in Jos. Idris was accompanied by traditional leaders, political stakeholders and prominent members of the chiefdom.

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Bashar is for all of you, and we must be seen to be moving together.

The governor said the government had allowed the dispute to run its full course in search of a result acceptable to all sides. He cautioned that Idris’s reinstatement should not be treated as one faction’s victory. Supporters and opponents of the Reckna, he said, remain members of the same community. “Bashar is for all of you, and we must be seen to be moving together,” he said, urging those who remained aggrieved to “shed their sword” and become champions of peace and brotherhood.

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Shed your sword.

Mutfwang also asked the traditional ruler to extend reconciliation to people who had previously opposed him. He said leadership should be inclusive and used as a blessing to society. On security, he said protecting lives and property remained a priority and reported that the State Security Council had met the previous day. The military’s General Officer Commanding, he added, had assured the council that developments in Wase were being closely monitored.

The governor acknowledged a shortage of teachers in rural communities and said the government was considering incentives to keep teachers in remote postings. He also pledged to follow up on the Jarmay Bridge project. Idris welcomed Mutfwang’s role in resolving the crisis, describing his reinstatement as “no victor, no vanquished.” He raised concerns about killings, cattle rustling and kidnappings, and called for better coordination between security agencies and affected communities. He also requested qualified secondary-school teachers and the speedy completion of the bridge, which he said was important for transport, agriculture, markets, schools and healthcare.

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No victor, no vanquished.