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

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.

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

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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

“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.

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

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

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.