Britain Planted Two Evils in Nigeria — Bode George

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Bode George, has blamed Nigeria’s long-standing divisions on “two evils” he said were deliberately introduced by the British colonial authorities — tribalism and religious bigotry.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, George said the impact of these colonial legacies continues to undermine national unity and good governance decades after independence.

The former military governor of Ondo State was reacting to the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s posthumous state pardon of nationalist Herbert Macaulay and 174 others. The Macaulay family had rejected the gesture, questioning the Federal Government’s motives.

George, however, dismissed the matter, saying the government was free to take decisions it deemed appropriate, but stressed that history would eventually judge such actions.

“That’s their business. They are in power. Let them use it as they think. When the time comes, it will become a general view of Nigerians as a family member, the man who dared the British,” he said.

The PDP stalwart then turned his attention to what he described as Nigeria’s deeper societal problems.

“Two evils were planted by the British in this country — tribalism and religious bigotry. Every time there’s one issue or the other, you can trace it back to either tribalism or religion. Look at this Christian–Muslim matter; in the western region, you can hardly find a home without a Christian, a Muslim, and a traditionalist.”

He shared a personal example of religious coexistence in his own family, noting that his eldest sister is a Muslim whom he supported in her faith journey, including sponsoring her pilgrimage to Mecca.

George described tribalism and religious intolerance as “existential imbecilities” that have no place in modern governance, urging Nigerians to embrace unity, love, and mutual respect regardless of belief or ethnicity.

“Nobody chose to be born a Christian or a Muslim. Just love your neighbour as yourself — it’s even in the Quran,” he added.