Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, has urged President Bola Tinubu to explore diplomatic channels to resolve the ongoing issues surrounding the Ogun Free Trade Zone (FTZ) deal.
This follows actions by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese firm that recently obtained a court injunction to ground three presidential jets belonging to the Nigerian government in Europe. The company is also reportedly moving to seize other Nigerian assets in the United Kingdom, the United States, and six additional countries as part of a global legal dispute.
Zhongshan has initiated legal proceedings in eight jurisdictions, including Belgium, Canada, France, Singapore, and the British Virgin Islands, after a contract dispute with the Ogun State Government that began in 2007 during Gbenga Daniel’s tenure as governor. The dispute centers on the termination of a management contract related to the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone, which was formalized in 2010. The contract was terminated in the first half of 2016, leading Zhongshan to seek legal redress to reinstate its contractual rights. However, these legal proceedings were discontinued in 2018.
In response to the controversy, Senator Daniel clarified through a statement released by his media office on Saturday that neither he nor his administration is involved in the current court and arbitration discussions. He emphasized that the issue at hand concerns the termination of the management contract, not the terms or propriety of the original agreement for establishing the FTZ.
The statement read, “The judgments in all the courts are very clear on this matter. It is important to note that this is a sensitive issue involving our collective national assets and Commonwealth, which every patriotic Nigerian should be concerned about.”
As a former governor who initiated the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone and as a serving senator, Daniel expressed his commitment to assisting the Nigerian government in resolving the dispute diplomatically. He pledged to provide the Federal Government with all available records that could help in pursuing its case in arbitration and before the courts.
Daniel further stated that engaging in media commentary on the issue would be unwise, as it could compromise Nigeria’s legal position in the ongoing court cases in multiple countries. He emphasized that the matter is sub judice, making it inappropriate for public discussion.
He also noted that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone remains operational, with numerous companies continuing their legitimate businesses. As of his handover in 2011, about 56 companies were at various stages of operation or development within the zone, contributing to the significant growth of the previously rural Igbesa area.
Daniel concluded by warning against the spread of misinformation and urged the media to support the Nigerian government in finding a productive solution to the dispute. He emphasized that this is not the time to politicize national assets and integrity, and appreciated those who have respected his decision to remain silent as he works to assist the President in navigating this challenging situation.
