By Peter Omopo
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused opposition figures of exploiting the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration and sow religious division ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike dismissed the claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria as “politically motivated falsehoods” being used to destabilise the country.
“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,” Wike said.
He argued that the allegations were baseless, pointing out that Christians hold key positions within the Tinubu administration, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the former Chief of Defence Staff.
“How can anybody say that this government supports the killing of Christians? It’s politics taken too far,” he said.
Questions Trump’s Source of Information
Wike questioned the credibility of reports that prompted US President Donald Trump to label Nigeria a CPC, warning that such assertions could inflame unnecessary tensions.
“I don’t know where the Trump administration is getting its information. But nobody can say this government is stoking fire so that a particular religion is being violated. That is not correct,” the minister stated.
He confirmed that he believes the CPC controversy is part of a deliberate political script aimed at weakening President Tinubu’s image before the next election cycle.
“Yes, it is a plot,” Wike asserted. “The opposition knows it is not ready to defeat the President, so the strategy now is to divide the country through religion.”
Terrorism Affects All Nigerians
Wike emphasised that terrorism in Nigeria affects people of all faiths and backgrounds, rejecting attempts to frame it as a religiously targeted crisis.
“Terrorists are killing Christians. Terrorists are killing Muslims. Terrorists are killing non-believers. Nobody should be happy,” he said.
He urged unity and cautioned against foreign interference, saying external military action could further destabilise the nation.
“An invasion of Nigeria is not in the interest of any Nigerian. Look at Somalia, Libya, Iraq — after foreign forces came in, those countries became destabilised,” he warned.
The minister added that the Tinubu administration is investing heavily in tackling insecurity and restoring peace across the country but said progress requires collective national resolve.
Background
The controversy erupted after President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian persecution, warning that the U.S. could suspend aid and even consider military action if the killings continued.
Trump made the declaration in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, directing the Department of War to “prepare for possible action” while accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect its Christian population.
According to the Family Research Council, the CPC designation is an official U.S. government classification issued under American law to countries allegedly engaged in serious violations of religious freedom or human rights.
Wike, however, maintained that such claims misrepresent Nigeria’s reality and urged citizens to “rise above politics and protect the country’s unity.”
