LAGOS — Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has accused Britain of sowing the seeds of tribalism and religious intolerance in Nigeria during the colonial era, saying the divisions continue to undermine the country’s unity and development decades after independence.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, George described tribalism and religious bigotry as the “two major evils” responsible for most of Nigeria’s political and social instability.

“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,” George said.

He lamented that Nigeria has failed to rise above ethnic and religious sentiments, stressing that such divisions have prevented the nation from achieving its full potential.

George noted that diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than discord, citing examples from the western region where interfaith and interethnic coexistence have long thrived.

“Look at the issue of this Christian-Muslim divide. In the western area, you can hardly find a home that does not have Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists,” he said.

The PDP chieftain recounted his family’s experience as an example of religious tolerance, explaining that his late sister was a devout Muslim whom he supported in her faith.

“In my family, my older sister was a Muslim till she passed on. She wanted to go to Hajj, I sent her there. When they were going to build a mosque near her house, I participated,” he said.

Describing persistent religious crises in the country as “an existential imbecility,” George argued that such conflicts have no bearing on effective governance or national progress.

He urged Nigerians to reject divisive tendencies and unite behind a common vision of equity, peace, and development.

“All these things we are talking about — religion and tribe — have no bearing on the management of this country,” he added.