Tinubu’s support divides the Edo Farmers Union

Divisions in the Edo State branch of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) came to the fore on Tuesday as the Joel Usiagwu-led faction distanced itself from approving the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the penultimate week. ), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the group led by Chief Bako Dogwo.

Speaking at a press conference, Usiagwu, an Edo AFAN faction leader, refuted the endorsement by Bako Dogwo, rival president of the association, insisting that farmers in Edo state would receive any political party or candidate that approached it, but without any obligation to any .

Usiagwu, said Dogwo was reportedly suspended and thus lacked the legal standing and right to speak on behalf of farmers in the state.

“Recently he gave a press interview endorsing Tinubu as the favorite presidential candidate of all farmers in Edo state. I have no problem with people endorsing whoever they want; you can endorse Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso or Omoyele Sowore, but Bako has no legal standing or right to speak for farmers in Edo State,” Usiagwu insisted.

Usiagwu claimed he had been duly elected in accordance with the association’s bylaws and urged members to stop associating with the Bako-led faction.

“We are here to charge him, he is not a member of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) as his suspension is pending. A committee invited him, but he refused to honor their invitation and they subsequently placed him on suspension.

“We, Edo State AFAN, have distanced ourselves from him. I am the authentic chairman of AFAN, Edo State chapter. I was sworn in by the Chief Justice of Edo State. We did not take our oaths in isolation,” he said.

The Usiagwu-led faction also said that contrary to Bako’s statement that the Edo State government had done nothing for the state’s farmers, the Obaseki-led government had supported 1,376 small farmers with inputs under the Independent Farmers Initiative.

“The government is one of our biggest patrons, they help us access land, finance. The association of poultry farmers benefits from the generosity of the state of Edo.

“The government of Edo state has a N1 billion march fund against Bank of Industry (BoI) and poultry farmers enjoy. We are about to advocate that fish, cassava, pig and maize farmers also participate in the program.

“If someone says that the government of Edo state has done nothing, it means you are slapping your benefactor in the face,” he added.

Responding, Bako Dogwo said the only person who can question his leadership of the farmers in Edo state is “AFAN National Secretariat”

“I am not the authentic chairman. It is the National Authority in Abuja that can say otherwise. AFAN is not a product of the Edo state government. It is an NGO recognized by the government that is the umbrella organization of farmers.

“The government does not interfere in day-to-day affairs. If a political party comes to me, I have the right to welcome any party and pray for them, which I did for APC.

“As a traditional ruler, I have a right to do that; as a Nigerian I have the right to do that; and as president of all farmers, I have the right to do so. I didn’t do it alone, I did it together with my manager. If PDP comes to me, I will do the same. If the least party comes to me, I will do the same,” Dogwo said.

Dogwo blamed the state government for the union crisis, saying that as a result of the infighting “Edo State has lost a lot of its counterpart funding from which it is not benefiting”.

“If someone says that he is the chairman of AFAN in Edo State, ask the person to show you the official letter provided to him by the national body confirming that the person is the chairman. Only Allah and the national body can remove me as chairman. I have a five-year term and I will serve that term,” he boasted.