ibironkeeniola 
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has dissociated itself from a recent statement made by Salisu Mukhtar, the reportedly Assistant National Publicity Secretary of the association.
Mukhtar had earlier accused the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) of chasing shadows instead of focusing on achieving President Buhari’s food security mandate.
Reacting, the National President of the association, Alhaji Farouk Mudi in a statement said the claim was born out of spite by disgruntled elements who are keen on frustrating the efforts of the government.
Mudi revealed that the architects of these lies have been at it since the days when Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (now AfDB President) was Minister of Agriculture.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the president lauded the efforts of the Alhaji Sabo Nanono-led FMARD for ensuring increased agricultural productivity and enhancing food security in the country.
He, however, charged members of the public to take an objective approach in dealing with statements and also desist from patting the backs of unscrupulous elements with ulterior motives.
“Indeed, they had resorted to the courts to pander their misgivings and this was summarily addressed with reference-able judicial pronouncement.
“We should all work together to ensure that we achieve Nigeria’s mission of self-sufficiency in agricultural production. What we need, as a nation, is for Nigerian farmers to concentrate on their business of providing food for our nation.
“Currently, we are at the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development busy strategizing on ways to improve the national agricultural economy, as Nigerian farmers, to enhance overall national security.
“You can imagine that while we are here at the International conference center Abuja for the meeting, they are somewhere huddled together thinking to foment confusion among the public
“However, we are not unmindful of the efforts and hard work of the Honorable Minister in supporting Nigerian farmers since his assumption of office,” Mudi said.