By Editor
Leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter has strongly distanced itself from a recently selected executive of the association describing it as unconstitutional, illegal and unacceptable .
The body made the disclosure in its official reaction to a publication in one of the nation’s newspapers
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, Mr Adebola Alagbada, Chairman Ekiti chapter of AFAN, and Pastor Rufus Oni of the disolved Arch. Kabiru Ibrahim faction of the association said the outcome of the development is illegal, condemnable and unacceptable.
According to the association, the body is duly registered as a non-governmental, non-political, non -religious organization that shouldn’t be subjected to ridiculed nor indulge in any illegality.
“All Farmers Association of Nigeria is a National body registered as a non-governmental organization limited by proxy. Dr. Sikiru Olowoyo the SSA to the Governor of Ekiti State on Agric Extension is an interloper on the AFAN internal election matter”.
“Conducting election or selection of an AFAN executive council in the government office is an aberration, illegal and an abuse of authority”.
AFAN also insisted that; “Dabbling into an unresolved matter before the Supreme Court of Nigeria is an illegal act and height of contempt of court, undermining the judiciary and capable of truncating court proceedings.
“His action does not follow the due process of the AFAN constitution. Article 14: Election and voting stipulated that before the conduct of any election within the association there shall be a three months mandatory election guideline notice as one of the steps among other steps to be followed prior to the conduct of election.
“The illegal kangaroo election was midwifed by the SSA in his office with the aid of some individuals known for their fraudulent shortchanging practices by the farmers and even the security operatives.”
Recall that the SSA published a news story in a daily few weeks ago tagged: “Ekiti State Government has reconciled the two factions of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the state”.
They explicitly stated that both AFAN leaders were not in attendance as claimed by the SSA to the Governor on Agric Extension, Dr. Sikiru Olowoyo who said he had brought together members of the Adebola Alagbada and Rufus Oni factions in the state.
Both leaders insisted that there was no faction in Ekiti AFAN and hence, the issue of harmonization of any group does not arise.
