Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the recent designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ by US President Donald Trump as politics taken too far.
This is as he accused opposition elements of exploiting the unfounded declaration to machinate a political agenda against President Bola Tinubu.
Wike made the remarks during an interview on Channels Tv’s Politics Today, on Monday, saying the narrative being circulated around alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria is politically-motivated.
He said the claims suggesting that the Tinubu administration is enabling the killing of Christians are false, adding that those pushing the story are trying to destabilise the country ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Wike said, “Nobody will be happy for the death of anybody, whether a Christian or a Muslim.
“No right–thinking person would say they are happy that people are being killed. Not the President I know.”
He argued that Christians also occupy key offices in the administration, insisting that the claim that the government supports the killing of Christians makes no sense.
Wike said, “The former Chief of Defence was a Christian. The Secretary to the Government is a Christian. How can anybody say that this government will support the killing of our own people? It is politics taken too far.”
He questioned the source of the information being referenced by US President Donald Trump, who had called for possible military action against Nigeria.
Wike said, “I don’t know where the Trump administration is getting the information. But nobody can say this government is stoking fire so that a particular religion is being violated. That is not correct.”
Responding to question if the ongoing CPC controversy was part of a political script to weaken Tinubu ahead of 2027, Wike responded affirmatively.
He said, “Yes, it is a plot.”
Wike said the opposition knows it is not prepared to defeat the President, adding that the strategy now being deployed is to “divide the country through religion”.
He said, “The opposition today has seen that no party is ready or prepared to challenge the President’s return to power. What do we do? Bring up something that can divide the country.”
Wike emphasised that terrorism is affecting all groups in Nigeria, not only Christians.
He said, “Terrorists are killing Christians. Terrorists are killing Muslims. Terrorists are killing non-believers. Nobody should be happy.”
He warned that foreign intervention would not benefit the country, urging national unity instead of politicisation.
Wike said, “An invasion of Nigeria is not in the interest of any Nigerian. Look at Somalia, Libya, Iraq. After foreign forces come in, those countries become destabilised.”
He added that the government is putting in resources to tackle insecurity and terrorism, saying progress will require collective resolve.
