FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed a viral emotional appeal from Pastor Serah Omaku regarding the repossession of land at Jabi Lake, insisting that the area will be cleared of shanties and reallocated to capable investors.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike speaks on the ongoing controversy regarding Jabi Lake Park, says the area has been neglected for over 15 years by the previous contractor. Watch! pic.twitter.com/G8Cuaptc9L
— NTANetwork (@NTANewsNow) May 6, 2026
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly defended the government’s intervention at Jabi Lake, ordering a crackdown on substandard developments and shanties surrounding the popular recreational park. During a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister addressed a viral video of Rev. Serah Omaku, Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, who was seen kneeling on her pulpit to plead against the repossession of the land. Wike dismissed the appeal, asserting that the enforcement actions are guided by legal frameworks rather than sentiment, and noted that the land had originally been designated for entertainment purposes but had instead degenerated into an eyesore.
The Minister explained that the previous allocation had been revoked because the developers failed to utilize the land appropriately, allowing unauthorized structures to emerge. “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 questioned. He further highlighted security concerns associated with the current state of the area, stating, “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 know if there are criminals.”
Wike concluded by outlining plans to reallocate the site to investors with the proven capacity to develop it into a world-class destination under strict conditions. He emphasized that the administration would not hesitate to take back the land again if development does not occur within a specified timeframe. Regarding the Pastor’s emotional plea, the Minister remained unmoved, stating: “To the woman who was crying, if she likes, let her call God to come down. What is my business? How does Jabi become hers? Is it an individual or government property? We are trying to make sure investors develop this land for the interest of all of us.”
READ THE FULL STORY IN DAILY TRUST
NEWS NOW:
