By Chico Mies The confrontation between Leonidas and Xerxes in 300 and the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State share striking thematic similarities, particularly in the struggle between power and resistance. Leonidas’ quote: “The world will know that a free man stood against a tyrant. That few stood against many. And before this battle was over, even a god-king can bleed.” resonates deeply with the current standoff in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara finds himself at odds with the federal authority following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency. The Tyrant vs. The Free Man In 300, Xerxes presents himself as an all-powerful ruler, demanding submission from Leonidas and the Spartans. Similarly, Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule can be interpreted as an assertion of supreme federal power over Rivers State, challenging its autonomy. Fubara, like Leonidas, stands as a figure of defiance, resisting what he and his supporters perceive ...
Presidential Jets: Former Ogun government officials band together to oppose a Chinese enterprise and identify the fraudster firm
Two former governors of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, have pledged their support forr the Federal Government's initiatives aimed at reclaiming national assets that were confiscated by a French court.
The court's ruling favored a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, resulting in the seizure of three presidential aircraft: a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330.
In 2007, the Ogun State Government entered into a joint venture with Zhongshan and another entity to establish the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone Company.
However, in the first half of 2016, the partnership deteriorated, prompting Zhongshan to initiate legal proceedings in both federal and state courts in Nigeria to restore its contractual rights, which were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, the company took its case to a French court, where it was awarded damages. The court has since barred Nigeria from transferring or selling the three presidential jets until the $74.5 million awarded to the Chinese firm is paid.
In separate statements issued on Saturday, the former governors characterized Zhongshan as a fraudulent entity, asserting that there is no justification for the company's claims for compensation.
Amosun, in his statement, emphasized that Nigeria should disregard any claims from Zhongfu (also known as Zhongshan), as engaging with them would be tantamount to endorsing "an unlawful entity without standing to claim our shared resources."
He firmly stated that there is no foundation for negotiations.
He remarked, "Government operates as a continuum, and the various events leading to this regrettable situation unfolded before, during, and after our tenure.
"Our administration took office on May 29, 2011. Shortly thereafter, two distinct Chinese firms, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE, asserted claims to management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.
"The competition and disputes among these Chinese entities quickly escalated, rooted in their conflicting interests." he says.
By Our Reporters.
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