Christian Genocide in Nigeria: The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition elements of deliberately fueling and politicizing the ongoing religious tensions in parts of the country to portray the Federal Government in a bad light and gain political advantage ahead of future elections.
Speaking during ONE-ON-WITH WIKE on Channel TV Abuja today, Wike said it was “very obvious” that certain opposition figures are exploiting narratives of a so-called Christian genocide in Nigeria to sow division and discredit the current administration. He alleged that the same tactics were used in 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, when religious sentiments were weaponized to seize political power.
“In 2015, under Jonathan, people capitalized on these kinds of things to take over power. It’s very obvious that the opposition is fueling this Christian genocide in Nigeria. They want to destabilize the country and make the government appear weak,” Wike stated.
The Minister cautioned Nigerians against falling for propaganda aimed at igniting religious hatred, emphasizing that the nation’s unity must remain above political manipulation. According to him, the government is fully committed to protecting all citizens, irrespective of their faith or region.
Wike noted that the government has deployed security agencies to areas affected by violence, stressing that criminality should never be given a religious coloration. He described the persistent framing of attacks as “targeted religious killings” as a deliberate attempt by political actors to inflame sentiments.
“Every attack or security incident must not be politicized or turned into a religious war,” Wike warned. “Those who genuinely care about Nigeria should be working to restore peace, not spreading hate-filled messages or exploiting the pain of victims for political gain.”
He also urged religious leaders to preach messages of tolerance and unity, noting that divisive rhetoric only worsens tensions and plays into the hands of those seeking to undermine national stability.
Wike reminded the public that the Federal Government has made significant progress in addressing insecurity across the country, citing the improved presence of security personnel and intelligence coordination in areas prone to attacks. He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains focused on delivering economic reforms and national security improvements, not on engaging in political blame games.
“We are aware of the challenges, but the government is not sleeping,” Wike said. “This administration is tackling insecurity head-on. But some people, for political reasons, want to turn every tragedy into a tool for propaganda. Nigerians must see through these lies.”
The Minister’s remarks come amid renewed conversations on social media and international platforms about alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria following recent violent attacks in some northern communities. Several groups have accused the government of inaction, but Wike dismissed such claims as politically motivated exaggerations designed to tarnish Nigeria’s image abroad.
He called on the media to verify facts before amplifying divisive narratives, urging responsible journalism in reporting sensitive national issues. “The press must help build the nation, not break it. Our journalists must resist being used as tools by those who want to set Nigerians against one another,” he advised.
Political observers say Wike’s comments reflect growing concern within government circles about the opposition’s strategy of leveraging insecurity and religious narratives to gain political mileage. Some analysts recall that similar rhetoric contributed to heightened tensions during the 2015 election cycle, which eventually led to a historic power shift.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with security and economic challenges, Wike’s statement serves as both a warning and a call for unity. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and not allow politics to divide them along religious lines, reiterating that national stability must come first.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
