Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on residents of Plateau to unite and love one another to overcome all challenges currently bedevilling the state.

Mr Obasanjo made the call at the thanksgiving organised by the 16 members of the state’s House of Assembly sacked by the Appeal Court.

The thanksgiving was held on Sunday at the headquarters church of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN)

Mr Obasanjo was in Jos to participate in the three-day interdenominational unity Christmas carol and praise festival organised by the Plateau government.

The former president was the guest of honour at the event, while the former head of state, Yakubu Gowon, served as the special guest of honour, respectively.

Mr Obasanjo called on Plateau residents to shun political, religious and tribal differences and support the peace initiatives of the current administration in the state.

“We must manage our diversity to have peace because peace is fundamental to achieving progress, security, equity and justice.

“Mr Governor, you have brought love, equity and justice into your government; you have shown love to those who wish you well and those who do not, and that makes you a good leader.

“This is why I want to encourage all citizens of this state to support the governor in order to move the state forward,” Mr Obasanjo advised.

The former president specifically commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for organising the unity carol, saying the move would lay a solid foundation toward achieving lasting peace and tranquility in the state.

Mr Obasanjo thanked Mr Mutfwang for inviting him, Mr Gowon and other notable Nigerians to the state and promised to support him to succeed.

Earlier, Mr Mutfwang thanked Mr Obasanjo for honouring the invitation to participate in the historic event despite his tight schedule.

Mr Mutfwang called on the state’s residents to continually pray and support his administration to succeed.

The Court of Appeal sacked 16 lawmakers elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the state assembly in 2023.

The court, which also sacked all federal lawmakers elected under the platform of the PDP, cited the lack of structure in the party as the rationale for its decision.

(NAN)