The General Assembly of Farmers (GAF), the highest decision-making organ of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has intervened in the leadership crisis troubling the farmers’ apex body, formally distancing the association from Faruk Mudi and ordering immediate reforms to stabilise its leadership structure.

Resolutions reached at the GAF 2025 meeting signal a firm move to restore institutional order within AFAN, enforce constitutional provisions and shield farmers nationwide from alleged exploitation linked to the leadership dispute. The assembly stressed that its intervention was necessary to halt the erosion of credibility and unity within the association, which represents millions of farmers across the country.

The Assembly accused Mudi and his associate, Haladu Yunusa, of illegally parading themselves as AFAN leaders and using the association’s name and accounts to extort money from unsuspecting farmers, despite being expelled from the body.

As part of the resolutions, the GAF approved the issuance of a public caveat emptor, warning the general public and stakeholders to disregard any dealings with Mudi and Yunusa, stressing that they no longer represent AFAN in any capacity.

The assembly stated that the Board of Trustees (BoT) of AFAN is not associated with their activities.

In a move aimed at strengthening institutional oversight, the GAF recommended that Abdullahi Adamu, Kabir Ibrahim, Tobias Iwu, Ademola Okeya and Bassey Inwang, be appointed to the Board of Trustees of AFAN with immediate effect. The appointments, according to the assembly, are expected to enhance stability and credibility within the association.

The farmers’ assembly also reaffirmed strict adherence to the original AFAN constitution, particularly the provision limiting the tenure of all elected offices to three years, renewable for a maximum of two terms.

This resolution appears targeted at preventing tenure elongation and leadership disputes that have contributed to factionalism within the association.

To further curb internal crises, the GAF approved the immediate enforcement of a constitutional clause stipulating that any member who takes AFAN or its executives to court without first exhausting internal conflict resolution mechanisms automatically forfeits their membership.

The assembly said the provision was necessary to discourage frivolous litigation and preserve unity within the organisation.

In another major decision, the GAF resolved that national executive committee (EXCO) elections should be conducted immediately, a move seen as critical to resetting AFAN’s leadership and restoring confidence among farmers nationwide. Financial accountability also featured prominently in the resolutions.

The assembly approved measures compelling all members to regularise their status by paying annual dues and completing identity card registration, in a bid to sanitise the membership register and strengthen internal administration.

The resolutions were signed by Ademola Okeya, Chairman of the GAF Committee, and authenticated by Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako and former Senate President, Abdullahi Adamu.

Stakeholders say the decisions signal a firm attempt by AFAN’s statutory organs to end the protracted leadership tussle that has weakened the association’s voice at a time when Nigerian farmers are grappling with rising production costs, insecurity and climate-related challenges.

With the fresh resolutions, it is believed that the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether AFAN can successfully reunify its ranks and reposition itself as a credible advocate for farmers’ interests nationwide. (The Sun)