A group of farmers in the 36 states and FCT have said they have started a nationwide mobilisation of their members for the candidacy of the APC presidential standard bearer, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The farmers who come under the umbrella of Asiwaju Farmers Forum said over one million of the five million targeted farmers have registered under the Asiwaju- Shettima Farmers’ Forum with over three million others who have indicated interest to be mobilsed for what they described as ‘mother of all campaigns’.
National Coordinator of Nigerian Farmers and Cooperative Society (NFGCS) Mr. Retson Tedheke made the disclosure in a sideline interview with pressmen at the Inauguration of the National Working Committee of Pragmatic Elites for Asiwaju and Shettima at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja
Speaking on the topic: “The Asiwaju Shettima Candidacy: Putting Nigerians To Work With The Agbado Cassava Cultural and Socio Economic Opportunities in Nigeria”, Tedheke said so far millions of “farmers in rural communities in Nigeria have indicated interest to join the mass movement from all the geo political zones.
Asked how he could possibly get that number, he said “currently an average of 25 farm leaders and mobilisers per state for all 36 states and the FCT.
“We expect more than 100 farm lead mobilizers per state and the FCT. This will ensure there are 5-19 Lead Farmers Mobilizers Per Local Government Area in the 774 LGAs.
“Our target is a minimum of 5 million farmers nationwide to vote for the ‘Agbado and Cassava Economy’ and for Nigerians developing Nigeria With agricultural and agribusiness opportunities Within Nigeria, He explained.
Retson who announced that the inauguration of the National Working Committee of the group will take place before 28th of September, 2022 at The NFGCS Farm Estate, Gaáte Communities, Kokona LGA, Nasarawa State.
While speaking earlier at the event, Mr Retson said Nigerians must be ready to embrace agriculture in all front and this will continue to be the convention for national rebirth and developmental drive.
“We have an issue at hand and we cannot pretend that all is well. Agriculture is the only sector that can take millions of our youths who are vulnerable to crime of the street. We have created a model in Gaate, Nasarawa State where government at all levels can build on to improve the living conditions of the rural communities in the country.
“It is the conversation for the campaigns. The conversation like the Pragmatic Elites for Asiwaju Shettima is talking today today. The conversation about making things work for all. The opportunities are here. The people are here. The land is available. God will not fix this country for us. We owe the people the responsibility to make that work; it must be collective, embellished with the spirit of patriotism and consistency.”