Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain Chief Bode George has accused Britain of sowing the seeds of Nigeria’s persistent disunity through what he described as “two evils” — tribalism and religious intolerance.
George made the remark on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, while reacting to the Federal Government’s posthumous pardon of nationalist Herbert Macaulay, which Macaulay’s family had rejected.
President Bola Tinubu had recently granted a presidential prerogative of mercy to Macaulay and 174 others. Macaulay, widely regarded as the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” was convicted twice by British colonial authorities in Lagos.
When asked about the family’s decision to decline the pardon, George said it was within the government’s right to act as it deemed fit, noting that Nigerians would eventually form their own opinions about the gesture.
“That’s their business. They are in power. Let them use it as they think. When the time comes, Nigerians will judge. As a family member, the man dared the British,” he stated.
He continued, “Two evils were planted by the British in this country — tribalism and religious bigotry. Whenever there’s an issue in Nigeria, you can trace it to either of these. Look at this Christian-Muslim divide. In the western region, you can hardly find a home without a Christian, a Muslim, and a traditionalist.”
George cited his own family as an example of religious coexistence, revealing that his eldest sister was a Muslim, whom he supported financially to perform the Hajj.
“All these divisions are unnecessary. Nobody chose to be born a Christian or a Muslim. The Bible and the Quran both teach us to love our neighbours. That’s the only way forward,” he said.
