The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has vehemently rejected allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, labeling them as politically motivated and an example of politics taken too far. Speaking on a Channels Television program, Wike accused opposition figures of promoting this narrative to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration, reminiscent of tactics used against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Wike, who identifies as a dedicated Christian with familial ties to the church, expressed that such allegations are an affront to both his faith and his role in the government. He highlighted the presence of Christians in key security positions, arguing that it is illogical to suggest that a government with a significant Christian representation would tolerate religious persecution.
He emphasized that no one in the government, regardless of faith, supports violence against any group. Wike affirmed that President Tinubu, whose wife is also a pastor, would never overlook such atrocities.
In addressing concerns about complacency equating to complicity, Wike insisted that the Tinubu administration has invested more resources in combating terrorism than any previous government. He accused opposition elements of exploiting the current security situation to incite religious division ahead of the 2027 elections, asserting that the narrative of genocide is merely a political weapon.
Wike noted that terrorism affects all groups, stating that it is wrong to attribute current violence to the Tinubu administration, especially since many past attacks occurred before he took office. He urged the public and the international community to resist politically driven narratives and acknowledged the government’s ongoing efforts to address these challenges.
