Wike: I’m a christian, not a pastor; politics isn’t church

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, has clarified his stance in regards to how he handles politics, stating that he is a believer but doesn’t have to act like a pastor.

This was after a special media session he conducted at Port Harcourt on Saturday in which he stated that politics and religion operate under different rules.

The ex-Rivers state governor explained that even though he is a Christian, politics is another ball game that requires a different handling than a religious one.

“People should not expect me to handle politics in the way a pastor would because I’m a Christian,” Wike stated.

His statement was in reaction to continuous criticisms he has been receiving about his political mannerisms.

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.