Wike Slams ‘Christian Genocide’ Claims, Says Opposition Playing Politics

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing them as false, politically motivated, and aimed at discrediting the Tinubu administration.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television in Abuja, Wike said the allegations were “a case of politics taken too far,” accusing opposition figures of deliberately trying to inflame religious tensions for political gain.

“I am a Nigerian and a full-blooded Christian. It is an indictment on me and my faith for anyone to allege that a government where I serve supports genocide against Christians. This is politics taken too far,” he said.

Wike pointed out that several key security chiefs in President Bola Tinubu’s administration are Christians, dismissing the narrative as illogical. He cited the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chief of Defence Staff as examples.

“Tell me, how can any right-thinking person say that we, as Christians in this government, will sit back and watch our people being killed?” he asked.

According to the minister, no religion or group is being targeted, and the government remains committed to protecting all Nigerians. He also noted that President Tinubu has never displayed religious bias, recalling that the president’s wife is a pastor. “The President I know cannot shut his eyes to such atrocities,” he added.

When asked whether the government’s inability to stop killings could amount to complicity, Wike rejected the notion. He argued that the current administration has invested more resources in tackling insecurity than previous governments.

The former Rivers State Governor accused political opponents of recycling the same divisive strategy used against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

“The opposition knows no party is currently strong enough to challenge President Tinubu, so they are desperate to create tension,” he said.

Wike stressed that terrorists and bandits have attacked both Christians and Muslims, long before Tinubu took office. He urged Nigerians and the international community not to fall for politically driven narratives intended to divide the country.

“I support any nation willing to help Nigeria fight terrorism, but no one should use our internal challenges for politics,” he stated, reaffirming that the government is actively confronting insecurity.