The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will not be intimidated or blackmailed over hid decision to reclaim and redevelop the Jabi Recreational Park.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during his monthly media chat in Abuja while responding to criticism from African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other activists over the sealing of the park.
According to the minister, the land was allocated about 15 years ago for the development of a recreational park but remained largely abandoned, allowing shanties and informal businesses to take over the site.
He said he decided to revoke the allocation after observing that the facility had failed to serve its intended purpose, insisting that the facility must be transformed despite criticism from activists.
“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 and people selling food. I said this is not what we mean by a recreation centre,” Wike said.
The FCT minister questioned why the site had remained undeveloped for over a decade, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He said the revocation sparked several reactions, including allegations on social media that he intended to seize the property for personal gain.
Wike dismissed the claims, stating that the FCT Administration planned to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with private investors to ensure the proper development of the park.
“When I revoked it, all kinds of calls came in. We can’t continue this way. Which part of the world would allow a place like this to remain abandoned?” he said.
Taking a swipe at Sowore and other critics, Wike accused some activists of using activism for personal interests and insisted that their comments would not influence his decisions.
“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,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government could not solely fund every development project in the nation’s capital, stressing the need to partner with the private sector to deliver critical infrastructure.