Insecurity An Elite-Created Problem – Plateau Governor Mutfwang Declares

The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent insecurity on the country’s elite, accusing them of stoking communal hatred and deliberately sustaining divisions for selfish interests.

Speaking during a stakeholder meeting on Wednesday in Jos, themed “Dialogue on Community Policing as a Panacea for Insecurity in Nigeria: The Case of Plateau State”, Mutfwang said the ruling class has the capacity to end the crisis if only it chooses to act decisively.

Naijaonpoint reports that the governor lamented that many of Nigeria’s security problems are rooted not in communities but in the manipulative narratives pushed by influential elites.

He said, “My theory is that more than anybody else, the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria is an elite-created problem.

“When the elite conspire to lead the people in the wrong direction, we will continue to have this perennial crisis. Even when the poisoning of the mind begins in the community, if the elite decide to put a stop to it, they can.”

Mutfwang said elites often worsen tensions by spreading misinformation and divisive rhetoric under the guise of analysis or political commentary.

“They are the ones who do the analysis, who spew poisonous information that corrupts the minds of ordinary people. That’s how it is sustained,” he added.

The Plateau governor utilised the forum to reaffirm his commitment to promoting unity, peace, and inclusion throughout the state.

“I came into government with a firm resolve to restore lasting peace to Plateau. That is why I have deliberately sought to bridge the divides we’ve built across religion and ethnicity,” he said.

He noted that despite being criticized and labeled in certain circles, his administration remains focused on dismantling artificial boundaries created by faith and ethnic differences.

Mutfwang added, “As recent as yesterday, I received reports of being labeled in certain influential circles. Still, I beat my chest and say, without fear of contradiction, that I have done more than any governor since 1999 in building peace and unity on the Plateau.”

He also challenged his fellow elites to take responsibility for resetting the national discourse and promoting narratives that foster tolerance and national cohesion.