Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly rejected allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the claim as reckless politics aimed at undermining President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Wike said the narrative was a recycled political tactic used in 2015 to discredit former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former Rivers State governor said it was absurd to accuse the current government—comprising many Christian leaders—of sponsoring religious persecution. “I’m a full-blooded Christian, my father is a pastor, and my family are all Christians. How can I serve in this government and someone claims we are killing Christians? This is politics taken too far,” he declared.
Wike noted that top security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of DSS, and Chief of Defence Staff, are Christians, stressing that such a government could never support any form of religious violence. He also defended President Tinubu’s character, saying, “The President I know cannot close his eyes to injustice or killings. His wife is a pastor, and that speaks volumes about his values.”
The minister accused the opposition of exploiting Nigeria’s security challenges to sow religious division ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the so-called genocide claims were designed to provoke international backlash against the government, adding that terrorism has affected Nigerians of all faiths.
“Terrorists have killed Christians, Muslims, and even non-believers. When the Chibok girls were kidnapped or when Benue was attacked, Tinubu wasn’t president. So why now blame this administration?” Wike asked.
He assured Nigerians that Tinubu’s government is committed to defeating terrorism, noting that more resources have been invested in security than any past administration. “We are not helpless,” he said firmly. “We are working daily to secure this country, and no one should use our pain for political gain.”
