Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has doubled down on the government’s takeover and redevelopment plans for Jabi Lake in Abuja, insisting that the intervention will proceed “even if God comes down,” as tensions grow over the revocation of allocations around the popular recreational site.
Wike defended the decision during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, where he dismissed emotional appeals, including a viral incident involving Rev. Serah Omaku, Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, who had publicly knelt on the pulpit pleading against the government’s action.
It was earlier reported that the pastor broke down during a church service, appealing directly to the minister over fears that the land would be reclaimed by the FCT Administration.
The video of the emotional moment circulated widely on social media, sparking public debate over the redevelopment plan.
But Wike, unfazed by the backlash, said the administration would not be swayed by sentiment, stressing that the action at Jabi Lake was strictly in line with law and urban planning standards.
“You talk about the women, they kneel down begging. I’m not carried away by such emotions. They kneel down to do what? Who owns Jaby Lake? How does it become their own? First of all, I came on board that this was given out to one company for more than 15, 16 years,” he said.
“And they claim that they want to invest, they want to turn it around, or make it to be an entertainment centre. You know what you have in, if you are going to Dubai, a city walk. All kinds of things.”
He explained that the initial allocation of the area was granted to a private company for recreational development, but accused the developers of abandoning the project and allowing the space to deteriorate into what he described as “shanties.”
“When you go there, you see shanties. They have turned it into shanties. And one of these days, I went there by myself,” he said.
“I said, this cannot be. That is a hotel. And then, who would come to stay in that hotel? Where there are shanties, but you don’t know whether they are criminals or what.
“So in the morning, they come out to do exercise and that. That is not what happens. Which part of the world would you see such water at their land on it?”
Wike disclosed that the allocation had already been revoked and would be reassigned to investors capable of delivering proper development under strict conditions.
According to Wike, the land will be reallocated with clear conditions attached.
“If there is no development within the specified time, we will take it back,” he said.
Taking a swipe at critics, the minister added: “Who does that? How would the woman who was crying, she’d be like, call God, let God come down. What’s my business about that? That because you stay in some place and you are trying to trade, it has become your own?
“Would you not ask yourself, how does Jabi Lake become your own? Who owns Jabi Lake? Is it an individual or government? I would like to see how we can make sure that investors develop this place for the interest of all of us. There was one pastor, I don’t even know where he comes from.
“I just sent a text, oh, save my life. I didn’t know that he took it for recreation. He has now converted to church.
And then the development control went there and put a notice. We can’t allow this here. How he got my number, I do not know.”
Wike further maintained that several plots around the lake had remained undeveloped for over a decade, warning that the FCT Administration was moving decisively to end land speculation and reclaim abandoned spaces.
He, however, denied claims that the exercise was meant to deny public access to Jabi Lake, insisting the goal was to restore order and ensure proper use of prime assets in the capital.
