…Calls for Probe
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abia State chapter, has accused the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, of sidelining its members in the disbursement of the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Smallholder Farmers Initiative.
AFAN also alleged that the Commissioner generated a fake list of beneficiaries and called for a probe into the process adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture in compiling the list.
Abia is one of seven pilot states selected to implement the continental programme, which is designed to empower smallholder farmers with access to finance, improved inputs, climate-smart training, and structured markets. The state officially launched the initiative on August 21.
Under the scheme, 17,000 farming households across the 17 Local Government Areas are expected to benefit, starting with an initial 1,000 farmers in the pilot phase. Beneficiaries are to receive training in sustainable farming practices, support to reduce post-harvest losses, and productivity-enhancing measures.
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, AFAN Chairman, Mrs. Gift Ogbonna, condemned the Commissioner’s handling of the programme and appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene.
She alleged that critical stakeholders, including Mayors and Supervising Councillors for Agriculture, were excluded from the selection process. According to her, many AFAN members who turned up at the launch venue with high hopes were disappointed.
“On hearing the announcement over the radio, Abia farmers trooped in their hundreds with joy, only to be met with rejection, sidelined, and embarrassed by the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Our farmers were denied even the chance to sign attendance. They were told they were not invited because the Commissioner already had a prepared list of beneficiaries,” she said.
Mrs. Ogbonna insisted that AFAN, as a major stakeholder, should not have been sidelined. She further accused the Commissioner of attempting to impose leadership on the union, which she said was no longer factionalised.
The AFAN boss added that the union decided to speak out to “prevent vested interests from undermining the good intentions of government in rolling out the initiative.”
Also speaking, AFAN Youth Representative, Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili, lamented that young farmers were excluded.
“We are worried because this programme was supposed to target youths, yet none were captured. Many young people are now venturing into agriculture, cultivating crops even in urban homes. But unfortunately, they were skipped,” he said.
Similarly, AFAN Women Representative, Mrs. Praise Christiana Oby, alleged that women farmers were insulted and humiliated at the launch.
“I speak with tears on behalf of Abia women farmers. They returned home crying because one man decided to hold agriculture hostage in Abia. We appeal that the right thing be done,” she said.
AFAN, however, commended Governor Otti for his pro-agriculture policies and pledged continued support to his administration.
Commissioner Responds
In his reaction, Dr. Agbaeze dismissed the allegations as false and an attempt to blackmail him and the Ministry for insisting that only “genuine and verified” farmers should benefit.
He explained that AFAN’s lingering leadership crisis made it difficult for the Ministry to work with the association, noting that the union still had three unresolved factions.
“I met three factions of AFAN when I assumed office. It would be wrong to align with any faction until they resolve their differences,” he said.
The Commissioner denied compiling any fake list, stressing that beneficiaries were verified through a transparent mechanism and that Council Chairmen were also involved in the enumeration exercise.
He added that the distribution was still at the pilot stage, targeting just 170 farmers—10 per Local Government—out of the initial 1,000, and that more farmers would benefit in subsequent phases.
“Our goal is to ensure only genuine farmers are captured. We are developing a credible database that identifies farmers down to their farm coordinates, size, and type of crops. Whether or not they belong to AFAN, once they are real farmers, they qualify,” Agbaeze said.
On allegations of attempting to impose AFAN leadership, he maintained that he had no preferred candidate and urged the factions to reconcile.
The Commissioner also vowed that the government would not hand over input distribution to any association but would directly oversee it to ensure transparency.
He further expressed surprise that Mrs. Ogbonna, who allegedly sent him a message commending the programme for accommodating AFAN members, could later accuse him of exclusion.
“She attended the programme herself and even sent me a message saying, ‘I am glad that over 80% of the farmers here are AFAN members and beneficiaries.’ So, I am shocked at these allegations,” he stated.
Agbaeze insisted that no amount of “cheap blackmail” would deter the government from insisting on due process.
