Reallocation of Jabi Lake stands even if you ask God to come down – Wike tells pastor Sarah Omakwu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has justified the decision to reallocate Jabi Lake in Abuja, insisting the government will not reverse the plan even under emotional pressure.

The FCT Administration (FCTA) had earlier, in February 2026, entered a development agreement with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited to convert Jabi Lake into a modern recreational and investment hub.

However, concerns were raised over the project after Sarah Omakwu, a senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, appealed publicly for the minister to halt the plan. In a video shared on her Instagram page, she was seen kneeling while making the request.

“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,” she said.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike rejected the appeal, stressing that governance decisions cannot be driven by sentiments.

The minister explained that the site had previously been handed to a developer who failed to properly develop it, leaving the area in a poor state.

“But they have turned it into shanties. 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 said.

He added that the earlier arrangement had been cancelled and the land would now be reassigned to investors capable of delivering proper development.

According to him, the new allocation will come with strict performance conditions to prevent misuse.

“You cannot allocate land and leave it for that long with nothing to show. We revoked it. Now we want to give it to people who are ready to develop it,” he said.

“We will reallocate the land with clear conditions. If there is no development within the specified time, we will take it back.

“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.”

Wike also dismissed suggestions that the move was aimed at limiting public access to the recreational site.

“We are not taking anything from the public. We are reclaiming land from those who failed to do what they were supposed to do or who converted it to unauthorised uses,” he said.