Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Christians are being targeted under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the allegations are “politics taken too far.”
Appearing on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, Wike said such accusations were baseless and insulting to the leadership composition of the government.
“The Inspector General of Police, the DSS Director General, and the Chief of Defence Staff are all Christians,” he said. “How can anyone suggest that we sit in government and support the killing of our own people? It doesn’t make sense.”
Wike’s remarks come amid a diplomatic stir triggered by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s weekend posts on Truth Social, in which he accused Nigeria of widespread persecution of Christians. Trump claimed he had instructed the Pentagon to “map out a possible plan of attack” against Nigeria if the alleged killings continued.
He added that any U.S. response would be “fast, vicious, and sweet,” saying Washington would not allow the “mass killing of Christians” in Africa’s most populous nation.
The Nigerian presidency has reportedly sought dialogue with U.S. authorities over Trump’s comments. Asked whether he feared a possible American military intervention, Wike declined to give a categorical response, instead suggesting the former U.S. leader might have been misinformed.
“There could be some misinformation or distortion,” Wike said. “It’s unfortunate.”
