Gov Dapo Abiodun

Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reached out to the Tinubu-led Federal government to resolve the dispute with Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. over the Ogun Free Trade Zone (FTZ) which led to the seizure of three presidential jets in France.

Governor Abiodun reportedly consulted top federal officials in Abuja last Thursday as part of his efforts to bring a resolution to the matter.

Multiple Ogun State officials confirmed to Punch the governor’s move to engage with federal authorities, though they requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

One top official disclosed that the governor was in Abuja on Thursday to ensure the issue was resolved promptly.

“The governor went to Abuja on Thursday over the matter. Ogun is at the forefront of ensuring this matter is resolved as soon as possible,” the official disclosed on Sunday.

This move follows Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment’s release of one of the three Nigerian presidential aircraft, an Airbus A330, which had been detained in France.

The company stated that the release was a goodwill gesture to President Bola Tinubu, enabling him to attend a scheduled meeting.

Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment has been embroiled in a legal dispute with the Ogun State government over the Ogun Free Trade Zone, resulting in the company securing a court order that led to the seizure of Nigerian assets abroad.

Governor Abiodun’s engagement with federal authorities is seen as a critical step towards resolving the dispute and preventing further international complications related to Nigeria’s assets.