Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition figures of being behind claims that Christians are being targeted and killed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, Wike described the allegations as “politics taken too far,” insisting that no responsible government would support such acts.
“It is very obvious, and I have said this,” Wike stated. “The problem we have today is that because of the President’s style of politics, you can see the collapse of the opposition. They have realised that no party is prepared to challenge him in 2027. So what do they do? They try to create division by spreading such claims.”
Wike, who also serves in Tinubu’s cabinet, said the genocide narrative was not only false but also an insult to the government and its Christian officials.
“It’s an indictment that a government I am serving in is being accused of supporting genocide or killings of Christians,” he said. “This is politics taken too far. The Inspector General of Police is a Christian, the Director General of the DSS is a Christian, and the Chief of Defence Staff is a Christian. Tell me how any right-thinking person will believe we would sit in government and support the killing of our own people?”
The minister stressed that the loss of Nigerian lives anywhere in the country brings sorrow to all leaders, regardless of religion or region.
His comments came amid escalating tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Christians in Nigeria were facing “an existential threat.” Trump had announced that he directed the Pentagon to prepare a possible military plan of action against Nigeria if the killings continued.
When asked if he was worried about Trump’s threat, Wike avoided a direct response, saying instead that there might have been “some misinformation or distortion” influencing the American leader’s stance.
“It’s unfortunate,” Wike added. “But one thing is clear this is politics being pushed too far, both locally and internationally.”
