I’m Christian, not pastor; politics has its own rules – Wike

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Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his political style, saying his Christian faith does not require him to conduct himself like a cleric.

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Wike stated this during a special media chat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, where he argued that politics and religion operate under different principles.

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His remarks were disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, in a post on his X platform.

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The former Rivers State governor dismissed suggestions that his political conduct should be modelled after that of his late father, who was a gospel preacher.

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“Politics is not like church. I’m a Christian but not a pastor. That my father is a pastor does not make me a pastor,” Wike said.

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Drawing an analogy with his family, the minister said the profession or calling of a parent does not automatically determine the path of a child.

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“I am a lawyer but my second son is not a lawyer, so because his mother is a judge, does that make my son a judge?” he asked.

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Wike maintained that politics has its own rules and expectations, just as religious ministry has its own standards.

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“The point is that, if you want to be a politician, there are rules and if you want to be a pastor, there are rules.

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“That is why when I hear people saying they are angry because this happened, that happened, I say you are talking theory,” he stated.

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The minister’s comments came amid continued criticism of his political approach, particularly his prolonged disagreement with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

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Wike was responding to allegations that his actions in Rivers State were driven by an attempt to maintain influence over the state’s political structure after leaving office as governor.

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