The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations that Christians are being systematically killed in Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing such claims as “politics taken too far.”
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Wike said it was unfair and misleading to accuse a government he serves in of supporting genocide or religious persecution.
“It is an indictment that a government I am serving in would be accused of supporting genocide or the killing of Christians. This is politics taken too far,” Wike stated.
He pointed out that key figures in Nigeria’s security architecture, including the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chief of Defence Staff, are all Christians.
“Tell me, how would any reasonable person believe that we would sit in government and support the killing of our own people?” he asked.
Wike maintained that the killing of any Nigerian, regardless of religion or region, should be a source of concern to every national leader.
His remarks followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who at the weekend threatened possible military action against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to draw up plans for a “possible attack” on Nigeria, warning that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous country.
“If Nigeria does not stop the killings, the United States will attack and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorists attack our cherished Christians,” Trump wrote.
The U.S president later reiterated his threat after the Nigerian government proposed diplomatic talks to address the issue. Asked by reporters if he was considering deploying American troops or air strikes, Trump responded, “Could be, I envisage a lot of things.”
Reacting to Trump’s statements, Wike said he suspected “misinformation or distortion” might have influenced the U.S. leader’s comments.
“There could be some misinformation or distortion. It’s unfortunate,” he said.
