Wike dismisses claims of anti-Christian killings under Tinubu, calls genocide allegation “politics taken too far”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has debunked allegations that Christians are being killed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing such claims as “politics taken too far.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike expressed dismay over accusations linking the federal government to acts of genocide or religious persecution.
“It is an indictment that a government I am serving, anybody will allege that that government is supporting genocide, killing of Christians, and I am still in that government,” Wike said. “This is politics taken too far. The Inspector General of Police is a Christian, the Director General of the Department of State Services is a Christian, the Chief of Defence Staff is a Christian. Tell me how any right-thinking person will think that we will sit in a government and support the killing of our own people?”
The minister stressed that no responsible Nigerian leader would take pleasure in the loss of lives anywhere in the country.
Wike’s remarks came amid heightened tensions following comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said he had asked the Pentagon to prepare a possible plan of attack on Nigeria, claiming that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous nation.
“If Nigeria does not stop the killings, the United States will attack—and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet,” Trump wrote.
The former U.S. president doubled down on Sunday, suggesting possible military intervention despite Nigeria’s call for dialogue. Asked whether he envisioned ground troops or air strikes, Trump replied, “Could be… I envisage a lot of things.”
Reacting to the remarks, Wike said Trump might have been misinformed, noting that such claims distort the reality on the ground.
“There could be some misinformation or distortion. It’s unfortunate,” he added.
