Former Governors of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, have expressed their willingness to assist the federal government in navigating the legal conundrum surrounding the seizure of three presidential jets in France.
Senator Daniel, who initiated the contract with the Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, in 2007, said he is ready to provide relevant documents to aid Nigeria in finding a solution.
In a statement titled “Seized National Assets/Ogun/Guangdong FTZ: Our Story”, he said: “Rather than engaging on media comments, the most reasonable course of action that Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel would rather engage in helping Nigeria, through the President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find a diplomatic solution to the issue at hand with available records that could assist the Federal Government in pursuing its course at the arbitration and before the courts.”
The statement released by the Media Office of Daniel said the former governor is more concerned about how to reach an amicable settlement, instead of engaging in endless media releases.
The statement titled, “Seized National Assets/Ogun/Guangdong FTZ: Our Story”, reads; “Since the report of the Arbitration and legal matters between a Chinese Firm and the Federal Government of Nigeria/Ogun State Government on the termination of Management contract at the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone, the Media Office of His Excellency, The Senator Otunba Engr Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FAEng has been inundated with calls requesting for Otunba Daniel’s reaction on the matter.
“We need to establish clearly that Otunba Gbenga Daniel or his administration is not in discussion on the matter before the courts and arbitration, neither were the terms or proprietary of the Agreement for the establishment of the FTZ, rather it is the termination of a Management Contract. The judgements in all the courts are very clear on this.
“It is also important to note that this is a very sensitive matter involving our collective National Assets and Commonwealth which every patriotic Nigerian should feel concerned about. And as a Patriotic elder statesman who has had the privilege of serving Ogun State as the Governor through which he was able to bring about several developmental projects including the establishment of the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone and others, and through which he has impacted on the lives of many citizens, also as a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is this patriotic path he chooses to thread. Rather than engaging on media comments, the most reasonable course of action that
“Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel would rather engage in helping Nigeria, through the President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find a diplomatic solution to the issue at hand with available records that could assist the Federal Government in pursuing its course at the arbitration and before the courts. He cannot do this on the pages of the newspapers and on other media which may also compromise the strength of Nigeria’s arguments in the courts. We need to also appreciate that this matter is before various courts in several countries and it is subjudice for anyone to speak on them.”
He emphasized that the matter is before various courts in several countries and is subjudice, adding that he cannot discuss it on the pages of newspapers or other media, which may compromise the strength of Nigeria’s arguments in court.
Senator Amosun, who succeeded Daniel as governor, also expressed his willingness to assist the federal government. In a statement he personally signed, he said: “Like every Nigerian, we are concerned that a purely business dispute between two Chinese nationals and corporations have now degenerated into an unlawful attempt to appropriate Nigeria’s sovereign assets. This is unacceptable to all people of goodwill and must not be allowed to stand.”
Amosun added that he is ready to work with government agencies in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment FXE or any other entity.
Amosun concluded: “In conclusion, without prejudice to the ongoing efforts of the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and with all sense of responsibility I wish to categorically state that: The agreement that was entered into at inception of the Zone in 2007 with our predecessor is what is still in operation and there was no need for any negotiation or re-negotiation of any contract when we came in and throughout our eight (8) years tenure.”
He also stated: “I am ready to work with the agencies of government in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment FXE, or any other entity.”
The controversy surrounds a contractual agreement between the Ogun State government and Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, which was initiated in 2007 during Daniel’s tenure as governor. The contract was terminated, leading to a legal dispute that resulted in the seizure of the presidential jets.
Daniel’s statement emphasized that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone project still exists and several Nigerians are working there, adding that the efforts of his administration should be appreciated.
He also appealed to the media to partner with the Nigerian government in finding a productive solution to the matter in Nigeria’s interest, saying it is not time to play politics with the assets and integrity of the country.
