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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused the opposition of fueling claims that Christians are being targeted in Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike described the allegations as extreme political maneuvering but declined to name any opposition figures specifically.
When pressed on whether the opposition is driving the narrative of Christian genocide, Wike responded, “It is very obvious and I have said this.” He asserted that the opposition is struggling after losing its relevance: “The problem we have today is that Mr President’s own nature of politics, you can see the collapse of the opposition. It will be difficult for anybody. The opposition today has seen that no party is prepared to challenge the President returning to power. What do we do? Should we allow him to just go in like that without challenge? We must do something and one of the things to do is bring up such thing that will divide the country.”
On the ongoing accusations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Wike called the genocide claims “is politics taken too far.” He said, “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. The Inspector General of Police is a Christian, the Director General of State Security Service is a Christian, the Chief of Defence Staff is a Christian. Tell me how any right-thinking person will think that we will seat in a government and support the killing of our own people?”
Wike states that the killings happening anywhere in Nigeria causes sorrow for the leaders, stressing the gravity of the situation beyond political manipulation.
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The remarks come as former US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social warning that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria. Trump claimed he asked the Pentagon for a military plan against Nigeria to stop the violence, warning of a “fast, vicious, and sweet” response if the killings persist. He later reiterated the threat of a military operation following calls for dialogue from the Nigerian presidency.
Asked whether he was concerned about the possibility of US intervention, Wike refrained from a direct answer but suggested there might be misinformation involved, saying, “There could be some misinformation or distortion. It’s unfortunate.”
