Wike Reacts To Trump's Claim Of Christians Killings, PDP Internal Crisis

Wike Reacts to Trump's Claim of Christian Killings and PDP Internal Crisis

In a wide-ranging and emotionally charged interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, addressed two explosive topics: former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria and the deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The interview offered a rare glimpse into Wike’s personal convictions, political frustrations, and his role in the unfolding drama within Nigeria’s opposition politics.

Wike began by responding to Trump’s recent statement alleging that Christians were being systematically killed in Nigeria, a claim Trump described as genocide and one he said warranted U.S. intervention. Wike, visibly disturbed, rejected the assertion outright. He emphasized his identity as a Christian, a son of a pastor, and a member of a Christian family, stating that such claims were not only unfounded but deeply insulting to him personally and to the government he serves. He argued that the Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, could not be complicit in any form of religious persecution, citing the religious diversity of key government officials, including the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of State Security, and the Secretary to the Government, all Christians.

He described Trump’s statement as “politics taken too far,” suggesting that it was either based on misinformation or deliberately fueled by opposition forces within Nigeria to destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike asserted that no right-thinking leader would celebrate the death of any citizen, regardless of religion, and that the government had invested heavily in combating terrorism. He acknowledged that insecurity remains a challenge but insisted that the Tinubu administration was doing more than any previous government to address it.

Turning to the PDP crisis, Wike did not hold back. He dissected the internal implosion of the party, which has seen defections, factional leadership struggles, and legal battles. He referenced the recent defection of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to the All Progressives Congress (APC), interpreting it as a symptom of PDP’s failure to uphold internal democracy and discipline.

Wike criticized the party’s leadership, particularly the acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, whom he accused of corruption, incompetence, and impunity. He claimed Damagum should be in prison and labeled him a “political tax collector,” alleging that he prioritizes personal gain over party integrity.

Wike also addressed accusations that he was an “undertaker” of the PDP, a term used by critics to suggest he was orchestrating the party’s demise. He defended his long-standing commitment to the PDP, tracing his membership back to 1998 and highlighting his contributions as a two-term governor of Rivers State. He argued that those now blaming him for the party’s collapse were themselves responsible, having failed to honor internal agreements and having allowed impunity to flourish.

The minister recounted multiple instances where he warned party leaders about the consequences of ignoring legal and constitutional procedures, particularly regarding the scheduling of conventions and the issuance of notices. He cited a recent court judgment that nullified the PDP’s planned convention due to procedural breaches, emphasizing that the party’s refusal to follow its own rules had led to its current predicament.

Wike also touched on his strained relationships with former allies, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, suggesting that their political alliance had dissolved due to divergent principles and ambitions. He dismissed rumors that he was opposed to Makinde’s potential presidential candidacy, stating that credentials alone do not make a leader and that ambition must be matched by commitment to party unity and discipline.

In closing, Wike expressed sadness over the PDP’s decline but reiterated his commitment to fighting impunity and preserving the values that once made the party strong. He called for reconciliation but warned that arrogance and misuse of resources by some governors were undermining the party’s future. He urged all stakeholders to remove ego and come together to salvage what remains of the PDP, lest it face extinction.

This interview painted Wike as a deeply conflicted figure, loyal to his party but disillusioned by its leadership, proud of his government but angered by external accusations, and determined to speak truth to power even at personal cost.