Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, and his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on Saturday expressed their willingness to assist the federal government navigate the legal conundrum created by the controversial contractual agreement, which led to the seizure of three of Nigeria’s Presidential jets in France.
While Senator Daniel said he was ready to provide relevant
documents that will assist Nigeria navigate the legal conundrum, Amosun on his
part said, he was 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.
It would be recalled that a Chinese company, Zhongshan
Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, had sought several orders from the court
over an aborted underlying contract between the company and the Ogun State
government, which was initiated in 2007.
It would also be recalled that the contract, was signed in
2007, during the tenure of Daniel, who was the governor of the State from 2003
and 2011.
Daniel, who said this in a statement made available to
newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, while reacting to the news of the
seizure of the aircrafts, noted that it is useless to go on the pages of
newspapers to discuss the nitty-gritty of the matter involving his
administration at the time and the Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng
Industrial Investment Co Limited.
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.
“However, let us
emphasize once again that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone project still exists
and several Nigerians are working there as we write, just as there are several
companies still doing their legitimate businesses. It is from this perspective
of development that the efforts of Otunba Gbenga Daniel should be well
appreciated.
“At the time of his handover in 2011, about 56 companies
were at various stages of operations, construction and showing interests in the
Free Trade Zone and through which various life-impacting developments
(including but not limited to the construction of roads, schools for the local
community, scholarship and sponsorship of many Nigerians for academic pursuit
etc) have taken place in the Igbesa area, which was an otherwise rural
community before the establishment of the Free Trade Zone”.
“There are so many incorrect reports and misrepresentation
of facts on Timelines of activities relating to the establishment and
Operations of the Free Trade Zone in circulation especially on social media,
and we plead that the media should partner with the Nigerian government in
finding a very productive solution to this matter in Nigeria’s interest.
“It is not time to play politics with the assets and
integrity of our dear country. We sincerely appreciate all efforts at reaching
out for Otunba Daniel’s side of the story as we also seek the understanding of
all those who called to appreciate his sturdy silence to be able to assist the
President on the way out of this testy time and situation”
On his part, former Governor Amosun, in a statement he
personally signed and made available to newsmen, said like every Nigerian, he
was concerned that a purely business dispute between two Chinese nationals and
corporations had now degenerated into an unlawful attempt to appropriate
Nigeria’s sovereign assets, saying that this is unacceptable to all people of
goodwill and must not be allowed to stand.
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