Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will not be swayed by emotional appeals in carrying out his duties, amid controversy over the proposed development of the Jabi Lake recreation area in Abuja.
Wike’s remarks came on Wednesday in response to a public plea by Senior Pastor of the Family Worship Centre, Sarah Omakwu, who had urged the minister not to allocate the site for private development.
In a video shared on social media, Omakwu was seen kneeling on the pulpit as she appealed to the minister, describing herself as “a mother in the land” and calling for the preservation of the recreation centre.
However, speaking during his monthly press briefing in Abuja, Wike maintained that governance decisions must not be driven by sentiment.
“I’m not carried away by such emotions,” he said, questioning the basis of claims over ownership of the facility. “Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake? How does it become your own?”
READ ALSO: Pastor Omakwu Kneels, Appeals To Wike Over Jabi Lake Development
The minister explained that the site had previously been allocated to a private company with plans to develop it into an entertainment hub, but alleged that the area had instead deteriorated into makeshift structures.
According to him, the current state of the location raises safety and environmental concerns, noting that the presence of shanties around nearby facilities, including a hotel, could deter visitors and potentially harbour criminal activities.
Wike insisted that decisions regarding the area would be guided by broader public interest and urban development priorities, rather than emotional pressure from individuals or groups.
The debate over the future of Jabi Lake has continued to generate public reactions, reflecting wider concerns about urban planning, environmental preservation, and access to recreational spaces in the nation’s capital.