A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has blamed Nigeria’s lingering divisions on what he described as “two evils” planted by the British colonial authorities, tribalism and religious bigotry.
George spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday,
while reacting to a question on whether he felt disappointed that the Federal
Government ignored the family of Herbert Macaulay after they rejected the
posthumous state pardon granted to the late nationalist by President Bola
Tinubu.
Recall that Tinubu granted presidential prerogative of mercy
to one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay and 174 others across
various categories.
Macaulay, often called the “father of Nigerian nationalism,”
was twice convicted by the colonial authorities in Lagos.
However, the PDP chieftain leading Macaulay’s family
rejected the gesture from Nigerian government.
While speaking on Arise Television, George said the
government was free to act as it deemed fit, adding that Nigerians would, in
due time, 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,” George said.
He continued: “Two evils were planted by the British in this
country, tribalism and religious bigotry. Every time there is one issue or the
other, you can trace it back to either tribalism or religious bigotry. Look at
this Christian-Muslim matter. In the western area, you can hardly find a home
without a Christian, a Muslim, and a traditionalist.”
The PDP stalwart cited his own family as an example of
religious tolerance, noting that his eldest sister was a Muslim whom he
sponsored to Hajj and supported in her religious activities.
“All these things we are talking about are existential
imbecilities that have no bearing on the management of this country. Nobody
chose to be born a Christian or a Muslim. Just love your neighbour as yourself,
it’s even in the Quran,” he added.
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