By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged opposition is behind the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern’, C’PC insisting that it’s desparate political plot to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Wike disclosed this while appearing on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, he alleged that opposition figures were the ones behind the reports being amplified internationally, including by U.S. President Donald Trump, as part of a strategy to divide Nigerians and weaken Tinubu’s chances of re-election. 
“In 2015 under Jonathan, people capitalised on this kind of thing to get power,” Wike said. “It’s very obvious what they are doing now.
” They know they cannot defeat President Tinubu in 2027, so they are trying to divide the country along religious lines to create confusion.”
The FCT Minister said the allegation of Christian persecution was politically motivated, describing it as “politics taken too far.”
According to the FCT minister, the opposition has grown increasingly desperate following what he termed the “collapse” of their political base under Tinubu’s leadership.
“The problem we have today is that, by Mr. President’s nature of politics, you can see the collapse of the opposition,” he explained.
“They have seen that no party is ready to challenge the President’s return to power, so they are looking for something—anything—that can divide the country and distract the government.”
Wike dismissed suggestions that the Tinubu administration was turning a blind eye to the killing of Christians in Nigeria, insisting that the current government was the most religiously balanced in recent history.
The Inspector-General of Police is a Christian, the Director-General of the State Security Service is a Christian, the Chief of Defence Staff is a Christian, the former Chief of Defence Staff was a Christian, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is a Christian,” he said. “Now tell me, how can any right-thinking person believe that this government supports the killing of its own people? This is politics taken too far.”
He added that it was unthinkable for President Tinubu—whose wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is a senior pastor—to condone any form of religious persecution.
“Not this President, whose wife is a senior pastor, will shut his eyes and allow any religion to be targeted. Certainly not,” Wike stated.
The minister also highlighted the administration’s sustained investment in national security, saying no government in recent history had committed more resources to combating terrorism and protecting citizens of all faiths.
“In fact, as I speak to you, I don’t know any government that has spent more resources in taming terrorism than this government,” he said.
