Ekiti AFAN Elects New Leaders, Resolves Three-Year Leadership Dispute

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Ekiti State has elected and sworn in new executives, bringing an end to a three-year leadership crisis within the association.

The election was supervised by AFAN Deputy National President, Daniel Okafor, who said the process unified the two factions that had divided the body. He spoke in Ado Ekiti after the inauguration of the new executive led by Sunday Adekogbon, and directed the leadership to begin elections at local government and ward levels.

The crisis had followed the emergence of two chairmen, Rufus Oni and Adebola Alagbada, a situation that affected access to government support and reduced productivity among farmers.

Okafor said the resolution would improve opportunities for farmers, including better welfare, improved data collection, and plans to introduce a health scheme. He also said the association would promote cooperatives, reduce post-harvest losses through processing, and strengthen market systems for farmers.

The new state chairman, Adekogbon, said the division had slowed agricultural progress in the state and limited government support. He assured that the new leadership would focus on farmers’ welfare and work closely with the government to improve the sector.

He also urged farmers to add value to their produce to increase earnings.

The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agricultural Extension Services, Sikiru Olowoyo, said the reconciliation would allow farmers to benefit directly from government programmes. He added that unity would help farmers focus on growth and development.

AFAN National Youth Leader, Tunde Adeyemi, said the merger created a single platform to represent farmers’ interests, while the Southwest Zonal Leader, Femi Adeniyi, said the development would attract support and investment.

Adeniyi added that discussions were ongoing with investors interested in cassava production in the region, with Ekiti State likely to benefit from the initiative.