By Igoniko Oduma - Yenagoa
Farmers in Bayelsa State on the platform of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have resolved the leadership crisis that rocked the association for five years.
The decision to resolve the crisis and chart a new direction was taken at the end of a congress meeting in Yenagoa Monday.
Heads of factional groups were advised to put aside all differences and unite under the AFAN umbrella for the benefit of all members. The resolution also indicated the setting up of a Caretaker Committee mandated to organise a credible and fair election within the next four months to bring in a new leadership.
In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Care-taker Committee, Foster Ogola, and the secretary, Blessing Walton, the association urged members to eschew bitterness and shun divisive tendencies.
It also charged members to support efforts and preparations for the forthcoming election. Ogola, who spoke to Daily Independent, noted that the fiver-year difference had affected the growth of the association.
Ogola, who is also the chairman of Bayelsa State Scholarship Board, however, expressed optimism that much would be achieved within the next few years with the new hope in AFAN.
He said the association was desirous of taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the farming and fish farming programmes of the Seriake Dickson government.
“There are enormous opportunities for farmers in Bayelsa State going by the activities of Governor Seriake Dickson in the agricultural sector and our goal is to take advantage of the available opportunities,” he said.