Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as “politics taken too far” the recent claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Christians are being subjected to genocide in Nigeria.
Trump had reportedly designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” accusing the Bola Tinubu-led administration of failing to prevent alleged killings of Christians by Islamic extremists. He further threatened in a social media post that the U.S. “War Department would not hesitate to invade Nigeria or impose sanctions” if such attacks continued.
Reacting to the development during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike described the allegation as “laughable,” insisting it was politically motivated.
“Before I came for this interview, so many people were sending me messages telling me not to speak about Trump, and I just laughed. I’m a full-blooded Nigerian and a Christian. My father is a pastor, and my family are all Christians. This is politics taken too far,” Wike said.
“The Inspector General of Police, Director-General of the DSS, present and former Chief of Defence Staff, and even the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are all Christians. Tell me how all of these people will sit in this government and support the killings of Christians,” he added.
Wike also addressed allegations that he betrayed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by thwarting his presidential ambition under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He accused Makinde, a fellow member of the G5 group of governors, of being responsible for the crisis rocking the PDP.
“When we are talking of fresh animal, you should not be talking about a crab,” he said.
According to him, leadership should not be determined by academic qualifications or professional background. “The ability of a person to govern the country should not be about being an engineer or having a doctorate degree or waking up in the morning and wanting to be a presidential candidate,” he stated.
Wike recalled that after the death of Makinde’s elder brother, he led a delegation including former Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa on a condolence visit.
“I told him, ‘Seyi, the way you are going, you will destroy the party. The way you are going, it will not help us. You are my friend, you are my brother—melembe, melembe (calm down, take it easy).’ Look at the crisis now. What do you want me to do? Ask the former governor of Enugu—did we not sit down and advise him? I have never, and I cannot betray. Nobody can say that. He has also not told me he is running for president,” Wike said.
He further accused the PDP leadership of violating a subsisting court order by suspending four key members of its National Working Committee, including the National Secretary and National Legal Adviser, over the weekend.
Wike described the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, as “incompetent” and “corrupt,” urging him to “remove his ego and stoop to conquer” to rescue the party from total collapse.
The FCT Minister also defended his recent trip to Dubai, UAE, where he attended a summit with his two sons as official delegates. He maintained that there was no law barring them from accompanying him on official assignments.
“What official matter? Did they sign any document?” he asked. “What’s wrong? I can travel with anybody from the Federal Capital Territory. I can travel with anybody from Nigeria. I have that right. Oh, come on. They have to know how Nigeria is; they have to learn about government. They have to know that the society…”
Wike revealed that his first son, a lawyer with interest in agriculture, had received training in Spain and Portugal and would soon proceed to China for further studies, while his second son, an economist, intends to pursue a law degree.
