Presidential jets: Abiodun consults FG as Utomi tackles Amosun

Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, has contacted the federal government in an attempt to settle the conflict over the contentious Ogun Free Trade Zone that he has with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co.

On Thursday, while political economy professor Pat Utomi accused former Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun of rescinding his property contract with the state government, Abiodun reportedly conferred with key federal authorities.

According to several Ogun State officials who verified the information on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to discuss the issue, Abiodun travelled to Abuja on Thursday to meet with representatives of the Federal Government on the seizure of the presidential planes.

The governor visited Abuja on Thursday to discuss the issue. "Ogun is leading the charge to expedite the resolution of this issue," said a high-ranking official.

Abiodun's action to end the Ogun FTZ fiasco became apparent when Utomi and Amosun quarrelled over a cancelled real estate agreement.

On Saturday, Utomi claimed in many posts on X.com that he was likewise a victim of Amosun's decision to revoke the contracts that Otunba Gbenga Daniel, his predecessor, had signed.

He described the hardship he went through to repay loans totalling millions of naira, alleging that Amosun terminated a deal he had with the state government.
Utomi was responding to Amosun's admission that three presidential aeroplanes were seized in Europe by a court order as a result of a deal he terminated while serving as governor of Ogun.

A French court decision to confiscate the jets over a business dispute with the Ogun government was recently obtained by Zhongfu International Investment FXE, a Chinese company.

In 2016, Amosun claimed to have terminated the Chinese company's contract after the Ogun government found that the company's assertions were untrue.

But in response to Amosun's admission, Utomi wrote: "Therefore, the embarrassment of the jets being seized from the presidential fleet was caused by Gov. Amosun's breach of the terms of the contract that his predecessor had signed. I hope his accomplishment brings him happiness. Everything is karma at this point.
"There were other victims besides the Chinese. Using a similar Amosun move, a well-known Ogun native is said to have committed suicide. I was a victim as well. Under Governor Daniel, I had a BOT lease on OPIC land in Lagos. After becoming office, Amosun put an end to all of this. I gave him a call. He said that he couldn't find my name on the roster.

"Given that Frieda experienced this, I wondered what adversaries were going through. I lost my tired Southern African business partners who had a profitable regional chain spanning Asia and Southern Africa. I nursed my wounds and toiled away at the loan repayment. The Chinese possessed greater bargaining power. They all feel ashamed after taking it.

After the property transaction was revoked, Amosun responded to Utomi's Sunday remark by accusing the scholar of making an irrational demand.

Utomi, he clarified, did not invest more than N50 million in the revoked property. The former presidential candidate attempted to persuade him to pay N200 million, but he rejected him.

Amosun said that Utomi had a "entitlement mentality" and that the House of Assembly had placed Utomi on a blacklist because of his apparent preference for bad agreements.

In reaction to the post made by the well-known don on his X handle, Amosun revealed this in a statement on Sunday.
"The Ogun State House of Assembly approved a persona non grata (resolution) on Utomi before I came into office, and put its resolution in the state’s black book.
"So, after I was elected governor, I called Utomi to find out what the problem was because I was curious. This was not because he contacted me; rather, it was all my decision. However, as someone who recognised the name to some extent, I felt that this was not the case, and I was curious as to what had transpired.

But among other things, he informed me that there was a contentious building project taking place on an Ogun State site.

"I called in a team right away to double check and get guidance on what to proceed. The team I dispatched said that the land was unsuitable since the building was taking place in the Ogun property's parking lot on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Road in Lagos State. Next, Then, my team recommended another location.
But he didn't want to move because he thought the location in question provided greater exposure. My team determined, based on our internal evaluation, that he could not have spent more than N35 million, or at most N50 million, on the construction as of that time. I made the decision to see myself then.

It was also found that the 'work done' had been hastily carried out when it became apparent that a different political party had won the governorship race and would assume control of the state.

"It was also clear that the objective was to ambush the state administration while I was in charge, giving us a fait accompli, a scenario that would have generated controversy about the demolition of an ongoing project.
"I promised to reimburse him N100 million instead of N200 million, only to make sure his investment in the state wouldn't be wasted. He kept trying to get me to give him N200 million, but I refused.

He used the Centre for Value in Leadership, or CVL, through the use of an Award, in an effort to influence me. I turned it down at first because it seemed strange that I was receiving an honour when I had only been in government for about two years.

"However, he urged that I show my support for his CVL SOLUTION CONFERENCE SERIES by attending, which I did, and for that, I received a plague. Nevertheless, I didn't alter my position on the refund of N100 million as against his N200 million claim.’’
"A few years later, he complained to some people with the sole intent to malign me," the former governor continued. As soon as I heard, I called to chastise him because his entitlement mentality was the only issue. He asked me, "Do you know who I am?" with such arrogance. Just think! But I quickly saw through his false colours, so I chose to ignore him. It's one law for everyone, regardless of identity, in my opinion.

"I want to meet with everyone, including the media, at the construction site so we can see the N200 million investment he said he made there. Allow them to enquire as to what advantage Ogun State would have derived from the project.

"No one can make me appear good by talking me down. I served Ogun State passionately with all my strengths, and I did with my shoulders high. I stand by every decision I took, whether or not people like Pat Utomi were in agreement with me.
served Ogun State passionately with all my strengths, and I did with my shoulders high. I stand by every decision I took, whether or not people like Pat Utomi were in agreement with me.
"Utomi is aware that there were no solid grounds for his case. Zhongfu International Investment FXE and him are the same. He is aware that he is unable to sue for any legitimate losses sustained by his investment. It is quite shameful that all he has attempted to do is say "me too."

The former governor declared Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. to be a fraud and said that the contract cancellation was carried out in accordance with current regulations and favourable court rulings.

He argued that "one law must be applied to every Nigerian, irrespective of your status, religion, or tribe" in order for "Nigeria to become a better country," and that "if Nigerians truly want a great nation, they should hold their leaders accountable for every action."

He said, "But it will be unfortunate if Nigerians allow people to hoodwink them with misinformation, mischaracterization, and dubious tales by moonlight."