Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan

Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday insisted he would not allow emotions to influence official decisions, as he firmly rejected an appeal by Sarah Omakwu over the planned redevelopment of Jabi Lake Recreation Area.

Wike made the remarks during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, responding directly to a viral video in which the senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, knelt on the pulpit and pleaded with authorities not to allocate the lakeside facility for private development.

“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” Omakwu said in the video, which sparked widespread reactions across social media and among Abuja residents.

Responding, Wike maintained that governance must be guided by law and policy rather than sentiment.

“I’m human in this government and you don’t expect everybody to be happy. If the majority are happy, then I’m happy. Some people don’t understand what’s going on; you should ask questions,” he said.

Dismissing the emotional tone of the appeal, the minister added, “You talk about the woman kneeling down and begging, I’m not carried away by such emotions. Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake? How does it become your own?”

The minister clarified that the Jabi Lake development project did not originate under his administration, explaining that the land had previously been allocated to a private firm to develop an entertainment and tourism facility. However, he said the original vision had been abandoned, with the area deteriorating into makeshift structures.

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“When I came on board, that place was given to a company that said they wanted to turn it into an entertainment place, but they have turned it into shanties,” Wike said.

He added that his administration intervened after discovering the poor state of the environment, raising concerns about security and the image of the area, particularly due to its proximity to hospitality facilities.

“One of these days I went there and said this can’t be. There is a hotel, and who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over? You don’t even know if there are criminals there,” he stated.

Wike emphasised that the FCT urban renewal drive is focused on restoring order, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that all allocated lands are developed according to approved plans. He reiterated that illegal structures and non-compliant developments would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Beyond Jabi Lake, the minister noted that his administration has intensified enforcement actions across Abuja, including demolition of illegal buildings, recovery of encroached lands, and revocation of dormant allocations—measures he said are necessary to sanitise the capital city and attract investment.

The controversy surrounding Jabi Lake Abuja has triggered mixed reactions. While some residents and stakeholders support the clean-up and redevelopment as a step toward economic growth and improved security, others—including environmental advocates—have raised concerns about possible over-commercialisation, ecological impact, and reduced public access to one of Abuja’s most popular recreational spaces.

Urban planning experts have also called for greater transparency and stakeholder engagement, urging the FCT Administration to balance development objectives with environmental sustainability and community interests.

Despite the backlash, Wike signalled that the project would proceed, stressing that decisions taken by the administration are in the broader interest of the city and its residents.

Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan