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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly dismissed allegations of a so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the claim as politically motivated and “a case of politics taken too far.”
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, November 3, Wike accused opposition figures of using the narrative to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the minister, such claims are part of a broader strategy to recycle the same tactics once used against former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 elections. His comments follow a recent statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened potential U.S. military intervention if the Tinubu administration failed to stop the killing of Christians in northern Nigeria.
“I am a Nigerian and a full-blooded Christian. My father is a pastor, and my family are all Christians. I serve in this government. It’s 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,” Wike said.
Wike further described the allegation as “illogical,” noting that many Christians occupy key positions in Nigeria’s security architecture — including the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the DSS, and the Chief of Defence Staff.
“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? Nobody here is happy that any life—Christian, Muslim, or non-believer—is lost,” he added.
The minister emphasized that President Tinubu, whose wife is also a pastor, would never tolerate religious persecution. He noted that the current administration has committed more resources to combating terrorism than any of its predecessors.
Wike also questioned the timing of the renewed genocide narrative, accusing political opponents of exploiting security challenges to stir up religious tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is the same script they used in 2015 against Jonathan. The opposition knows no party is strong enough right now to challenge President Tinubu, so they are desperate to create division. This genocide claim is just a political weapon,” he argued.
The minister maintained that terrorism and banditry in Nigeria have no religious or ethnic bias, as both Christians and Muslims have been victims.
“Terrorists are killing Christians, Muslims, and even non-believers. When Benue was under attack or when the Chibok girls were kidnapped, Tinubu wasn’t President. So it’s unfair to link today’s killings to this administration,” he said.
Wike concluded by urging Nigerians and the international community to approach such reports with caution, stressing that while Nigeria welcomes genuine international assistance, its internal security challenges should not be politicized.
“This government is not helpless; it’s working and will continue to work to solve the problem,” he affirmed.
