The celebration of Plateau State’s fiftieth anniversary has sparked renewed conversations among historians, political scholars, the media and citizens, particularly regarding the state’s true age. While many acknowledge that J.D. Gomwalk served as the first military governor of the defunct Benue-Plateau State from 1967 to July 1975, questions continue to emerge as to why Plateau State is marked as fifty years old rather than fifty-nine. The debate reflects deeper reflections on history, identity, and the political evolution of the state within Nigeria’s federal structure.
Benue-Plateau State was created in 1967 during General Yakubu Gowon’s military administration as part of a nationwide restructuring of Nigeria into twelve states. Gomwalk governed this larger entity, which encompassed both present-day Benue and Plateau. However, this political arrangement was not permanent, as subsequent state creation exercises reshaped Nigeria’s administrative map, leading to significant structural changes that affected the identity of the region.
In 1976, under the administration of General Murtala Mohammed, Benue-Plateau State was split into two separate states: Benue and Plateau. It was from this moment that Plateau State, as it exists today, officially came into being with its own distinct political and administrative identity. Therefore, while governance in the region began earlier under Benue-Plateau, Plateau State as a standalone entity only started its journey in 1976.
As Plateau State marks fifty years, the milestone is not a denial of its earlier history but rather a recognition of its distinct existence since separation from Benue.
The anniversary should serves as a moment to honor the past, celebrate progress, and reflect on the state’s political evolution — from a shared administration under Gomwalk to an independent and vibrant Plateau State within Nigeria’s federation.
Walbe OGAK
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