Trump’s Comment on Christian Persecution: Wike Blames Opposition for Spreading Falsehood

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition figures of manipulating U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments about alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Wike described the development as “politics taken too far,” alleging that some opposition leaders are deliberately using religion to divide the country ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the narrative that Christians are being targeted in Nigeria is false and politically motivated. He argued that the structure of the current administration contradicts the persecution claim, noting that key national security figures including the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, and DSS Director are Christians.

Wike insisted that no Nigerian leader supports the killing or marginalization of any religious group, stressing that unity must come before politics.

His reaction follows Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations a claim that the Nigerian government has already dismissed as misleading and unfounded.

The FCT Minister emphasized that Nigeria remains a nation of religious diversity and tolerance, calling on politicians to avoid fanning the flames of division for personal or electoral gains.