Wike Defends Revocation Of Jabi Park, Says No Activist Can Intimidate Him

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has insisted that he will not be intimidated or blackmailed from carrying out his responsibilities, defending the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) decision to revoke the concession for the Jabi Recreational Park.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike criticised activists, including the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over their opposition to the government’s action on the facility.

The minister explained that the park had been concessioned to private developers about 15 years ago with the aim of transforming it into a modern recreational centre, but lamented that the project was abandoned, leaving the area overgrown with weeds and occupied by makeshift structures and informal food vendors.

According to him, the condition of the park fell far short of the purpose for which it was allocated, prompting the FCT Administration to revoke the concession.

“You are aware that some people took us to court. About 15 years ago, that place was awarded to people who said they wanted to turn it into a recreation park.

“One day, I passed through there and saw shanties springing up, with people selling food. I said this is not what we mean by a recreation centre,” Wike said.

He questioned why successive administrations allowed the facility to remain undeveloped for years, stressing that the government could no longer tolerate the neglect of such a strategic public asset.

“What happened? How could this place remain like this for the past 15 years and nothing happened? So I had to revoke it. When I revoked it, all kinds of calls came in. We can’t continue this way. Which part of the world would a place like this be abandoned?” he asked.

Wike disclosed that despite the revocation, the administration remains open to engaging private investors through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the park is properly developed for public use.

He, however, dismissed allegations circulating on social media that the government intended to appropriate the land for personal interests.

“People went on social media saying this is where I have been praying to God, that the minister has grabbed the land and all kinds of things. But I don’t care or listen,” he said.

The FCT minister also took a swipe at Sowore, accusing him of using activism for personal gain while opposing efforts aimed at improving public infrastructure.

“One of these so-called activists who collect money from people and claim to be activists, Sowore, who says he’s a presidential candidate, came and was talking. But nobody can intimidate or blackmail me. That place must be developed,” Wike declared.

He maintained that the government would continue to partner with the private sector to develop recreational facilities and other infrastructure across the nation’s capital, noting that government alone could not fund every project.

“Weeds have taken over the place and you see people selling ‘mama put’. Is that the kind of recreation centre we should have? Government might not be able to do everything, so it needs to engage private partners,” he added.