The chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo State chapter, Mr. Joel Usiagwu, has disowned the endorsement of Mr. Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 polls.
He disclosed that the purported endorsement of Tinubu by Mr. Bako Dogwo, the suspended factional chairman of the association was personal to him.
Usiagu however, said that the association secretariat is open to all candidates seeking elective position in 2023, adding that “they must come with their manifestos and not envelopes”.
The AFAN chairman disclosed this to journalists in Benin City on Tuesday.
According to him, “I do not have any problem with people endorsing who they want. You can endorse Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso or Omoyele Sowore, but Bako has no locus standi or right to speak for farmers in Edo State”.
Usiagwu further claimed that he was duly elected in line with the association’s constitution and urged members to stop associating themselves with the Bako-led faction.
Continuing, the Joel said contrary to the statement made by Bako that the Edo State government has not done anything for farmers in the state, the Obaseki-led government has supported 1,376 small holders’ farmers with inputs under the Independent Farmers Initiative.
“The government is one of our biggest patron, they help us have access to lands, finance. The association of poultry farmers are benefiting from Edo State government largesse.
“Edo State government put a marching fund of N1billion against Bank of Industry (BoI) and poultry farmers are enjoying. We are about to make a case for fish, cassava, pig, maize farmers to also key into the program”, he stated.
