The Ogun State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has firmly declared its status as an apolitical organization, emphasizing its focus on farming and agricultural development rather than political maneuvering.

During a press conference held on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta, the association distanced itself from individuals claiming to be AFAN National Executives from Abuja, labeling them as impersonators attempting to unlawfully impose leadership on the state chapter.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the Public Relations Officer, Johnson Oluwarotimi Sogunle, stated that Ogun AFAN has never engaged in any actions aimed at undermining the administration of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, or the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo.

According to Sogunle, the factional group unlawfully utilized AFAN’s official logo for selfish political motives during a recent gathering in Ado-Odo, Ota.

“Few days ago our attention was called that the impersonators used our logo for political and selfish purposes at Ado-Odo, Ota, Ogun State.”

“We are here to make it clear and state equivocally to everyone in Ogun State that our Association is for farmers interest and the current Executive Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON is our Patron and he has delivered better than his predecessors in the area of Agriculture in Ogun State, evidences abound all over the state.” Sogunle maintained.

Highlighting the agricultural milestones achieved under the current administration to justify their support, Sogunle pointed to substantial infrastructural developments across the state’s farm settlements

“For avoidance of doubt, 28 different agricultural infrastructures are newly built in all our farm settlements, clusters in all Senatorial Zones, Ajegunle Farm Settlement has 5000 per day broiler processing plant, with 4 cold rooms all powered with 1 megawatts solar equipment. Eruwe, Eweje, Ilaro, Coker have processing centres etc, so we have no reason whatsoever to do otherwise.”

Sogunle emphasized that Governor Abiodun serves as the association’s Patron, and the members remain entirely loyal to his leadership.

He reiterated that the association’s constitutional framework strictly mandates that state leaders must rise through local farm clusters and local government structures, rather than being imposed by the national body in Abuja.

“We want to state that few months ago some people who had never been part of AFAN in Ogun State wrote to the State as being AFAN Executives from Abuja and we made it clear to the State Government, the DSS, the Commissioner of Police etc, that they are impersonators and that Abuja cannot impose leadership on Ogun State AFAN as the Association emanates from farm clusters to local government, commodities, farmers cooperatives etc.”

“According to our constitution, only their elected leaders from local governments can become Executives at the State level and this was the established order, with a long history of transition.”

Conclusively, the association also strongly defended its relationship with Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, condemning attempts by the external group to create a rift between the lawmaker and the state’s agricultural leadership.

“Painting AFAN Ogun State and our Chairperson, Alhaja Ganiyat I. Adeoye-Kushimo black to our Patron and benefactor Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan was the height of insult as evidences are known to farmers in all local government that he gave 20 tractors with ploughs and tricycles to farmers in Ogun State, more importantly he regulated the price.

“This we have enjoyed for 2 agricultural seasons with cash and other value chain additions to many of our farmers. He also promised to do more.”

“We remain committed and grateful for his good works. We reciprocate his genuine care for farmers, by giving him an award last April during our Congress and we will continue to support him having helped to lift our farmers up”

The political landscape of Imeko-Afon Local Government shifted significantly as a massive wave of youth and party stalwarts formally declared their support for Engineer Ogundele Jamiu Odunayo, widely known as JAMSALOD, as the consensus candidate for the Ogun State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was solidified during a mega rally that saw hundreds of youths march from Obada through Afon, eventually converging at the local government headquarters in Imeko.

Beyond supporting JAMSALOD, the demonstrators used the platform to issue a firm rejection of a rumored “4th Term Agenda” of the incumbent member representing the state constituency at the Ogun State House of Assembly.

The movement gained significant traditional backing as the youth delegation paid courtesy visits to several royal fathers.

The delegation equally visited a former Commissioner, Chief Mrs Mary Ogunjobi, popularly known as Mama Pekele, who in a show of support, lauded the youth for their organized courage and unity

She officially blessed the candidacy of Engineer Odunayo and reinforced the sentiment that the local political direction must evolve.

This grassroots momentum culminated at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Party Secretariat, where the atmosphere shifted from a demonstration to a formal political assembly attended by more than 5,000 party faithful and residents.

At the secretariat, the endorsement was ratified by a huge gathering of APC stakeholders, including former federal lawmaker Dr. Dele Ogunsiji, former council chairmen Hon. Tajudeen Ayilara and Hon. Yahyah Fadipe, and various other community leaders.

The leadership present moved beyond the local assembly seat to outline a broader vision for 2027, officially endorsing Senator Olamilekan Adeola Yayi as the preferred governorship candidate for Ogun State.

Additionally, the party reaffirmed its confidence in Prince Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka to continue his representation of the federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

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Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (Ogun Chapter)