Bode George Criticizes Tribalism, Religious Bigotry in Nigeria

Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has sharply criticized Nigeria’s ongoing political and governance crises, attributing them to entrenched tribalism, religious intolerance, and a flawed democratic system.

In a candid interview, the elder statesman stressed that unless the country undergoes meaningful restructuring, its democracy will continue to stumble. Reflecting on Nigeria’s vast natural and human resources, George lamented that the nation’s potential is being squandered due to greed and self-interest. “God gave us a massive land, rich in both natural and human resources. There is no part of this country that isn’t blessed. Yet, greed and self-interest continue to plague us,” he said.

George criticized the political elite for their failure to prioritize governance and for allowing corruption to flourish. “Other nations envy what we have, but we waste it. Look at Ghana; during their elections, the sitting president conceded before the final results. No manipulations, no drama. Here, we introduce a new system, and suddenly, there’s a glitch. It’s disgraceful,” he remarked.

He also pointed out how tribalism and religious bigotry remain major obstacles to national unity. “People make a big deal out of religious differences, ‘Oh, this one is a Muslim,’ or ‘That one is a Christian.’ But what does that have to do with the price of milk?” he asked. Sharing a personal example of religious tolerance, George recalled how his older sister married a Muslim and became an Alhaja. “She remained my sister till the end. So, I ask, what do religious labels have to do with how we treat one another?”

According to George, these divisions are deliberately fueled by politicians for personal gain. “The British left us two devils: tribalism and religious bigotry. But tell me, what does religion have to do with governance?”

George did not hold back in his criticism of Nigeria’s political structure, declaring that the current system is fundamentally broken. “It has failed, absolutely. The current constitution is the root of our problems. Every month, states go to Abuja to collect their share of national revenue instead of generating their own. That’s not democracy; it’s a unitary system disguised as federalism,” he asserted.

He called for a return to the six-zone structure proposed by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, which he believes would ensure a more equitable distribution of power. “When one region hoards all the power, resentment builds. That’s exactly what happened to my party. The presidential candidate, national chairman, and other key positions all came from the same region. That was a fundamental mistake,” George explained.

For Nigeria to move forward, George emphasized that meaningful restructuring is the only solution. “Not just any restructuring, but a real, practical one. If we continue on this path, we are only postponing disaster,” he warned.

He further cautioned that without genuine reforms, Nigeria’s problems will only deepen. “People are suffering. The price of fuel is crippling businesses, yet those who control the banking sector are making billions. If the president truly cares about the people, he should work with the financial sector to stabilize fuel prices,” he said.

As the country grapples with economic hardship, insecurity, and rising youth unemployment, George called for urgent reforms, particularly for youth empowerment. “We had trade centers where people learned carpentry, tailoring, and hairdressing. Now, nothing. That’s why we have a Yahoo Yahoo epidemic, because the system has failed young people,” he lamented.

He concluded by issuing a stern warning to political leaders: “Nothing lasts forever. Power is temporary. If you are in leadership, use the opportunity to serve, not to loot. A land of plenty should not have starving citizens. If we don’t change course, history will not be kind to us.”

As Nigeria faces its ongoing challenges, George’s reflections serve as both a diagnosis of the nation’s ailments and a call to action for meaningful change. Whether the country’s leaders will heed his advice remains to be seen.