The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ogun Chapter, has dismissed claims by individuals parading themselves as the association’s executives from Abuja.
The association described the claimants as impostors without constitutional or legal authority to represent AFAN in Ogun State.
The state leadership of AFAN, led by its Chairperson, Ganiyat Adeoye-Kushimo, stated this on Friday while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta.
Speaking through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Johnson Sogunle, the association reiterated that the claimants were impostors without any constitutional or legal authority to represent AFAN in Ogun State.
He said the individuals were never members of the Ogun chapter.
According to him, during a recent distribution of fertiliser to farmers in Ogun, some beneficiaries who were not registered members were identified, raising concerns.
He said the claimants allegedly wrote to the state government, presenting themselves as AFAN executives from Abuja.
He disclosed that the association had informed the Ogun State Government, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies about the alleged impersonation.
He maintained that AFAN’s constitution does not permit the national body to impose leaders on any state chapter.
According to him, only duly elected representatives from local government chapters can emerge as state executives.
“These people were never part of our leadership transition. They were never registered in our offices and were never members of our executive committee.
“The question is: where did they derive their powers?
“We want to state that a few months ago, some people who had never been part of AFAN in Ogun State wrote to the state government claiming to be AFAN executives from Abuja.
“We made it clear to the state government, the DSS, the Commissioner of Police and others that they are impersonators.
“Abuja cannot impose leadership on Ogun AFAN because the association emanates from farm clusters, local governments, commodity groups and farmers’ cooperatives.
“According to our constitution, only elected leaders from local governments can become executives at the state level and this has always been the established order,” he said.
Sogunle also alleged that the individuals recently used the Ogun AFAN logo for political activities in Odeda Local Government Area.
According to him, the association remains non-political and is solely committed to protecting the welfare and interests of farmers.
He reaffirmed the association’s support for Gov. Dapo Abiodun, describing him as AFAN’s patron and a strong supporter of agriculture in Ogun State.
Sogunle also commended Sen. Solomon Adeola for donating 20 tractors, ploughs and tricycles to farmers, saying the intervention had benefited members for two farming seasons.
“We remain committed to supporting leaders who genuinely promote farmers’ welfare and agricultural development in Ogun State,” he said.
He urged the federal government to ensure agricultural inputs were not used to create divisions within AFAN in the South-West and Ogun State in particular.
