Foreign Affairs Minister Warns Against Unilateral State Negotiations Following Jet Seizure Incident

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has issued a stern warning to state governments and other sub-national entities, urging them to refrain from engaging in foreign or international negotiations without the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Federal Government.

This caution comes in the aftermath of a legal dispute involving the Chinese company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment, which has resulted in the seizure of three Nigerian government jets by a French court. The court's ruling allows the company to use Nigeria's jets at Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse international airports as security for its claim of €74,459,221.

Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the potential complications arising from foreign negotiations conducted by states or other sub-national actors without proper coordination with federal authorities. He stressed the importance of ensuring that all international agreements or negotiations involve the Federal Government to prevent such disputes and safeguard Nigeria's interests on the global stage.

“Yes, the Attorney General and I are working on it both diplomatically and from a legal perspective to ensure that this issue is resolved. This is part of the problem when sub-national actors like state governments engage in agreements or international arrangements without consulting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the federal government. When these agreements go awry, we are left with the problem to deal with,” Ambassador Tuggar stated.

He added, "It is always important that such arrangements be registered with the mission there, with the embassy, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the federal government. This particular issue stems from an agreement made by Ogun State under a previous administration, not the current governor, of which we were unaware. Now, they are targeting Nigerian assets."

Ambassador Tuggar underscored that international negotiations should be handled by those experienced and trained in the field. "Foreign or international negotiations are not the purview of sub-national actors. It is essential to have individuals with the necessary skills and training to negotiate these sorts of agreements," he concluded.

The situation highlights the need for coordinated efforts in international dealings to prevent legal and diplomatic challenges and to ensure the protection of national assets and interests.