Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the allegation as politically driven and “a case of politics taken too far.”
Speaking during a Channels Television programme monitored in Abuja on Monday, Wike accused members of the opposition of spreading the narrative to tarnish President Bola Tinubu’s image and recycle the same political tactics used against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
“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 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 argued that several key figures in the country’s security system are Christians, including the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the DSS, and the Chief of Defence Staff. He said it was “illogical” to suggest that a government with such leadership could endorse or tolerate religious persecution.
“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 also pointed out that President Tinubu, whose wife is a pastor, would never condone religious violence. “The President I know cannot shut his eyes to such atrocities,” he said.
When asked whether government complacency could be seen as complicity, Wike maintained that the Tinubu administration had committed more funds and effort to combat terrorism than any previous government.
He accused opposition elements of taking advantage of the security crisis to stir religious division ahead of the 2027 elections. “This is exactly the same script they used in 2015 against Jonathan. The opposition knows no party is currently strong enough to challenge President Tinubu, so they are desperate to create tension. This genocide claim is just a political weapon,” he said.
Wike stressed that terrorism and banditry had claimed lives across all religions and ethnicities. “Terrorists are killing Christians, Muslims, and even non-believers. When Benue was under attack or when the Chibok girls were kidnapped, Tinubu was not the President. So, it’s wrong to link today’s killings to this administration,” he explained.
He called on Nigerians and the international community to disregard politically motivated reports. “I support any country genuinely willing to help Nigeria fight terrorism, but no one should use our internal challenges for politics. This government is not helpless; it’s working and will continue to work to solve the problem,” Wike stated.
