Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has dismissed claims that Christians are being targeted and killed in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the allegations as politically driven.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, saying the genocide claim amounts to “politics taken too far.”
He stressed that he is a Christian and comes from a Christian family, adding that the allegation is an “indictment” on him and other Christian appointees in the current administration. “I am a Christian… This is politics taken too far,” he said.
Wike pointed out that key security leaders in Nigeria — including the inspector-general of police, the director-general of the Department of State Services, and the chief of defence staff — are Christians, questioning why anyone would believe the government supports harm against Christians.
He accused the opposition of stoking the claims because they lack a strong platform to challenge President Tinubu in future elections, particularly in 2027. According to him, the opposition is seeking divisive narratives after witnessing their own collapse.
The minister said no Nigerian leader takes pleasure in violence or killings in any part of the country.
His remarks follow threats by US President Donald Trump, who claimed Christians are being killed in Nigeria and warned of potential military action if the country fails to stop the alleged attacks.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he instructed the Pentagon to prepare a “possible plan of attack” in Nigeria, insisting Christianity faces an “existential threat” in the country. He reiterated the warning the next day, suggesting the US could consider airstrikes or troop deployment.
Responding to Trump’s comments, Wike said he prefers to believe the US president was acting on misinformation, calling the situation “unfortunate.”
