British planted tribalism, religious bigotry in Nigeria - Bode George
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has said that the British colonial administration planted the seeds of tribalism and religious bigotry in Nigeria, which continue to divide the country decades after independence.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, George described the twin issues as the root causes of most of Nigeria’s political and social crises, stressing that the nation’s inability to rise above ethnic and religious sentiment has hindered its progress.
“Two evils were planted by the British in this country — tribalism and religious bigotry. Whatever it is we are doing, every time there’s one issue or the other, you can trace it back to either tribalism or religious bigotry,” the PDP leader said.
He argued that Nigeria’s diversity should be a strength rather than a source of division, noting that interfaith and interethnic relationships have long been part of the country’s social fabric, especially in the western region.
“Look at the issue of this Christian-Muslim divide. In the Western area, you can hardly find a home that will not have Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists,” he said.
“In my family, my older sister was a Muslim till she passed on. She wanted to go to Hajj, I sent her there. She came back and wanted to attend Quranic school—I sponsored her. When they were going to build a mosque near her house, I participated. She was a full-fledged Muslim.”
George described Nigeria’s persistent religious conflicts as “an existential imbecility” that has no bearing on good governance or national development.
The PDP chieftain’s comment came amid the recent allegations of Christian genocide in northern Nigeria and a warning issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened that America might take military action if the Nigerian government fails to curb the alleged killings of Christians.
George urged Nigerians to reject divisive tendencies and focus instead on building a united, equitable, and progressive nation, saying: “All these things we are talking about — religion and tribe — have no bearing on the management of this country.”
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