Group dissociates self from malicious publication against agric minister

• Says AFAN Has No Factional Leadership

The Farouk Mudi-led All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has disassociated itself from a malicious publication against the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono.

The publication alleges that the “Minister is chasing shadows instead of improving food security in the country.” The group claimed that Salisu Muktar, who signed the statement, was no longer a member of the association, saying: “We are, hereby, distancing ourselves from the malicious statement.”

Meanwhile, for almost a year, the Kabir Ibrahim-led faction and Farouq Mudi-led faction have been at loggerheads over who could take over the association’s leadership.

Speaking, yesterday, in Abuja, Mudi said Ibrahim’s five-year tenure had elapsed in 2019, and for failure to conduct a General Assembly to elect, the Board of Trustees appointed him and a few others, as Caretaker Committee members.

He said after a General Assembly was conducted in March in Kano State, he emerged as the duly elected AFAN President and he remains the substantive head of the body.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim said AFAN’s constitution did not provide for a Caretaker Committee, saying he has been silent on the matter because the case was at the Federal High Court.

Mudi said: “There is no faction, neither is there any disunity in AFAN, adding that AFAN started with General Muritala Nyako to Kabir Ibrahim and then to himself. AFAN has only one certificate which has been presented to him by the BOT Chairman.