‘Politics is not church, I’m a christian not a Pastor’ – Wike

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has defended his approach to politics, insisting that his Christian faith does not mean he must behave like a pastor.

Speaking during a special media chat in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Wike said politics and religion are guided by different principles and should not be confused.

The former Rivers State governor maintained that while he is a committed Christian, his role as a politician requires a different approach from that of a religious leader.

According to Wike, people should not expect him to conduct political affairs with the mannerisms of a cleric simply because of his faith.

His comments were made in response to recurring criticism of his outspoken and confrontational political style.

The remarks were made public by the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, who shared details of the media chat in a post on his X account.

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.

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