AFAN Ekiti Resolves Crisis, Elects New Unified Executive

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Ekiti State has resolved its prolonged internal crisis with the election and inauguration of a unified executive to steer the affairs of the association.

The election, supervised by AFAN Deputy National President I, Daniel Okafor, marked the end of a three-year leadership dispute that had split the association into rival factions. Okafor expressed satisfaction that peace had been restored, paving the way for renewed progress among farmers in the state.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Okafor urged the newly inaugurated leadership, headed by Sunday Adekogbon, to commence elections at local government and ward levels to strengthen the association’s structure.

AFAN in the state had been embroiled in crisis following the emergence of two parallel chairmen, Rufus Oni and Adebola Alagbada. The division, stakeholders said, deprived farmers of access to government support and hindered agricultural productivity.

Okafor noted that the reconciliation would open new opportunities for farmers, outlining plans to improve welfare, reduce post-harvest losses through value addition, and establish better market systems. He also disclosed efforts to organise farmers into cooperatives and introduce a health scheme to support their wellbeing.

In his remarks, Adekogbon acknowledged that the prolonged division had slowed agricultural progress in the state, expressing optimism that unity would now attract stronger government support and help farmers recover lost ground.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Agricultural Extension Services, Sikiru Olowoyo, said the reconciliation would enable farmers to fully benefit from both state and federal interventions. He commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment that facilitated the resolution.

AFAN National Youth Leader, Tunde Adeyemi, and Southwest Zonal Leader, Femi Adeniyi, also welcomed the development, noting that a united association would attract investment opportunities, including planned cassava projects in the region backed by international investors.