Govt. To Audit, Conduct Election For Crises-torn Abia AFAN
Abia State government has outline steps it would take to restore peace and unity to the crises-torn state chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
AFAN Abia State has about three factions, each pledging allegiance to the three factional leaderships of its national body.
To resolve the leadership crises says that activities and state of affairs of the association would be audited to ensure that things were being done the right way due to accusations and counter accusations of misappropriation and lack of accountability made by leaders of the various factions of Abia AFAN.
“”We have also discovered that accountability has been a major problem in the running of this association. As a step forward, the activities, the state of affairs of the association will be audited to make sure that things are being done the right way because we have seen and heard of allegations of misappropriation and lack of accountability.
“Government is not recognizing any faction. Once the state of affairs of the association is very clear to us, then those who are interested will present themselves for election,” Gov. Otti said during a meeting at Government House, Umuahia, with the representatives of the various factions of Abia AFAN.
The Governor said government could no longer continue to watch from the sideline because of the crucial role the group plays in the agricultural value chain of the country, explaining government was not backing any faction.
“Seeing the crucial role that the farmers have to play, it becomes very critical for us as a government and also the Ministry (of Agriculture) in particular, to make sure that all those who have a role to play in making sure that we have enough food in every state are united in that same purpose. That’s why we have called you.
“As a government, we are not aligned to any faction. But we want to make sure that sanity prevails. It’s only when you are united, you’ll be able to forge ahead to be able to align with the plans and programmes of this government.
“The government remains passionate in order to fulfill the mandate that has been given by Abians. And no group, let me repeat, no group, no faction is strong enough to stop the will of the government to do what is right,” Gov. Otti said, lamenting that the association, as it currently exists in Abia, was not being properly run.
“We have noticed that the association, as is existing presently in Abia state, is not being properly run. That’s why you have all kinds of factions and because it is not being properly run, the division and divisiveness that is prevalent at the centre has also infiltrated the states, notably Abia State.
“And as a responsible government, we have to take actions that will be able to address that kind of division which is unacceptable by all standards. So we have to ensure that proper structure is restored and maintained.
In their various contributions at the meeting, the key factional leaders, including Mrs Gift Ogbonna, Mr. Ndudirim Ikelua and Lady Precious Uwaoma, narrated how each of them emerged as State Chairman, respectively, at different places.
While accusing one another of being the architect of the crises in the association, they equally affirmed loyalty to different factions at the national level.
Also, in separate interview with newsmen, some of the members present at the meeting, including Chief Herbert Ogbonna, Mr. Dike Onyemaeze, Mr. David Umeh, among others, attributed the crises in the Abia AFAN to selfishness of various members who insist they must be at the helm of affairs of the association.
