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Sowore made the allegation during a visit to Jabi Lake Park in Abuja, where thousands of Nigerians gather daily for relaxation, recreation, and exercise.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike allocated portions of the Jabi Lake Resort land to himself, including about three acres, while compelling individuals claiming to be the original owners to commence development on the disputed property.Sowore made the allegation during a visit to Jabi Lake Park in Abuja, where thousands of Nigerians gather daily for relaxation, recreation, and exercise.
According to him, concerned groups met with him at the park and disclosed what he described as a coordinated scheme to seize public land originally designated as a recreational centre for residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
He noted that the land was reserved as a public park in 2003 by then FCT Minister Nasir El-Rufai.
During the visit, Sowore and members of the Take It Back Movement hoisted a large banner bearing the inscription: “SAVE JABI LAKE — WIKE IS A LAND THIEF.”
Sowore lamented that Wike had appropriated three hectares out of 14 acres in the park for himself. He also called for a mass protest scheduled for Saturday to reclaim the park and resist what he described as the illegal takeover and privatization of public property.
The allegation comes exactly a week after angry FCT residents, alongside activists, business operators, traders, and recreational users, including Sowore, protested the alleged illegal takeover and reallocation of the popular Jabi Lake Park in Abuja by FCT Minister Wike.
The protesters described the move as a violation of the Abuja Master Plan and an attack on public spaces meant for ordinary Nigerians.
They issued a one-week ultimatum to the minister and developers to halt construction activities and remove structures allegedly encroaching on the park, or face mass action, warning that they would pull down the structures themselves.
The protesters gathered at the park and accused the minister of approving the conversion of public green areas into private developments.
Sowore described the park as “one of the few remaining public relaxation centres accessible to low-income residents in Abuja.”
According to him, the facility serves multiple purposes beyond recreation, including small-scale business activities, therapy, exercise, religious gatherings, wedding photoshoots, and holiday celebrations.
The activist lamented that several green areas and public lands within the FCT had been converted for private use, including spaces along highways and within institutional zones.
Sowore further alleged that portions of public land in areas such as the University of Abuja and Bwari had also been affected by alleged illegal reallocations approved by the minister.
“We are demanding that the park be restored to its original purpose. This land is meant for public recreation, not residential or hotel development,” Sowore stated.
Also speaking, the leader of the Recreational Users and Operators, Ahmed El-Rufai Rilwan, said the park had positively impacted many residents over the years.
He noted that he had been using the facility since the age of 17 and added that many women, widows, and young people running small businesses within the park depend on it for their livelihoods.
“There are widows here with children who survive from the shops they operate around this park. Some people came here for therapy and mental relief. Retirees also come here daily for fresh air and exercise,” he said.
He added that some residents facing economic hardship often visited the park to relieve stress and find emotional support.
According to him, the removal of the facility would further worsen the hardship of many vulnerable residents who depend on the environment for both livelihood and wellbeing.
The protesters insisted that public parks and green areas should be protected rather than converted for private commercial use.
Another recreational operator, Rahama Yelwa, said the park had become a second home to many families over the years and had contributed significantly to the wellbeing of residents.
She noted that she had been visiting the park for over a decade, long before she became a mother, adding that her children had also grown up around the recreational centre.
“There is nothing more I can say that has not already been said about this park. I have been coming here for over 10 years, even before I had children. Today, my children know this park and have grown up here,” she said.
Yelwa noted that beyond recreation, the park has become a meeting point for women, families and entrepreneurs striving to survive harsh economic realities.
Similarly, on Sunday, May 10, Sowore intensified the campaign against the alleged takeover of Jabi Lake Park, declaring that citizens must rise to defend public spaces from what he described as greed, land-grabbing, and the destruction of public heritage.
Sowore made the remarks during a visit to Family Worship Centre in Wuye, Abuja, where he met with the church’s Senior Pastor, Sarah Omakwu, to mobilise support for the “Save Jabi Lake Park” campaign.
In a post shared on his X account on Sunday, Sowore wrote: “The struggle to save Jabi Lake Park took us today to the Family Worship Centre in Wuye, Abuja, where we met with Pastor Sarah Omakwu to deepen the campaign against the attempted takeover of one of Abuja’s last remaining public recreational spaces.”
“The fight to protect Jabi Lake Park is a fight against greed, land grabbing, and the destruction of public heritage for private interests. #SAVEJABILAKEPARK,” he added.
Sowore accompanied the post with a video showing him addressing members of the church congregation with Pastor Omakwu standing beside him.
During his speech, the activist described public parks as essential to human existence, saying, “A public park is heaven on earth if it is properly protected.”
“Because we breathe out, the trees take away our oxygen. And that’s why we are still here,” he said.
“We are not more important than the trees.”
SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS
