Crisis Brewing In Edo Farmers’ Body

The leadership crisis brewing in the Edo State chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFAN), gets messier in the State, as a faction led by Comrade Julius Usiagu as chairman dissociated itself from one Alhaji Bako Dogwo who is also parading himself as the chairman of the association in the state.
Comrade Usiagu, who claimed to be the authentic chairman of ALFAN in Edo State, said Dogwo has no legal right to speak for Edo farmers because he had been suspended and described Dogwo as an impostor.
Comrade Julius Usiagu’s position was coming after a media report had it that Dogwo, on behalf of ALFAN, endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu for President.
Comrade Usiagu, during a press conference in Benin, also berated Dogwo for a statement credited to him (Dogwo) that Edo State Government has not done anything in agriculture, saying the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has done well for farmers.
“Bako has no authority to speak for farmers in Edo State. He is a suspended member of ALFAN in Edo State and his suspension is still pending. So, he cannot speak for ALFAN in Edo State.
“We are calling on Edolites to stop transaction with him; he is not chairman of ALFAN in Edo State.”
“Bako also said Edo State Government is not doing anything in agriculture. “That is a slight on Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government. For the records, Edo government has so far supported 1, 376 small holders’ farmers with inputs (Rice, Maize, Cassava bundles, Soya Bean, Fertilisers and Agrochemical) under the Independent Farmers Initiative.”
Comrade Usiagu who alleged that Dogwo is also impersonating himself as His Royal Highness in Benin land, said: “I appeal to our Royal father, Ewuare II to call Dogwo to order. I don’t know where he got his title. He cannot be in Benin land and be regarded as HRH. The place where he stays, there is an Enogie, so how come, are we going to have two Enogies in a Dukedom in Benin land, no. Oba should call this man to order.”
When contacted, Alhaji Dogwo said he remains ALFAN chairman in Edo State, claiming that Usiagu has no relevant documents to back his claim as chairman up.
According to him, he is the chairman national body of the association recognised and dealing with in the state.