Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he would not be swayed by emotional appeals in the discharge of his duties, insisting that decisions concerning public assets must follow due process and broader public interest.
Wike’s remarks came in response to a public plea by Sarah Omakwu, Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, who urged the minister not to allocate the Jabi Lake recreation area for private development.
Omakwu, in a video shared on Instagram earlier in the week, was seen kneeling on the pulpit while making the appeal, describing herself as “a mother in the land” and calling on the minister to preserve the recreational space for public use.
“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT… but I go on my knees that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” she said.
Responding during his monthly press briefing in Abuja, Wike acknowledged the concerns but maintained that governance cannot be driven by sentiments.
“I’m human in this government and you don’t expect everybody to be happy. If the majority are happy, then I’m satisfied,” he said. “Some people don’t understand what is going on; they should ask questions.”
READ ALSO: Lilian Afegbai Kicks Over AMVCA Snub
The minister questioned the basis of the appeal, stressing that the lake and its surrounding facilities are public property under government control.
“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?” Wike asked.
He explained that prior to his assumption of office, the site had already been allocated to a private company with a mandate to develop it into an entertainment hub. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with how the area has been managed.
“From what I saw, instead of proper development, the place has been turned into shanties. I visited and said this cannot continue,” he stated.
Wike further raised concerns about safety and environmental standards in the area, noting that the presence of makeshift structures could discourage investment and pose security risks.
“There is a hotel there. Who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over? You don’t even know if criminals are operating there,” he added.
The minister’s comments signal the FCT Administration’s intention to review and possibly restructure existing arrangements at Jabi Lake, amid ongoing debates over urban development, environmental preservation, and public access to recreational spaces in Abuja.
