By OLAYINKA OLAWALE

The All farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a farmer to replace the immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono.

Dr Femi Oke, Chairman, AFAN, Lagos and South-West Zone, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Wednesday, while reacting to the sack of the former minister.

The president had on Wednesday sacked the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, and the Minister of Power, Mamman Sale.

President Buhari announced the minor re-shuffle at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, saying the cabinet shake-up would be a continuous exercise.

Oke said that farmers were very delighted over the removal of the minister, as he failed to take decisive actions on issues affecting farmers.

“The former minister failed to address issues regarding food security, farmer/herders clashes and many more.

“He ignored issues affecting the sector and dabbled into issues not related to the sector. So, his removal is a plus to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. We farmers are happy with his removal.

“During his tenure, prices of food and other commodities skyrocketed. Instead of formulating policies that would bring the prices down, the minister adopted policies that were not favourable to the people,” Oke said

The AFAN chairman urged the government to appoint a real farmer, precisely from the AFAN, to oversee the ministry, as well as create an office of Special Adviser to the president on food security.

He said that the two appointments would address issues concerning food security and self-sufficiency in the country, just as only a farmer can solve the myriad challenges confronting the sector.

“When the right people are appointed, they will find lasting solutions to problems confronting the sector. We want the president to appoint a farmer to replace the immediate past minister,” he said. (NAN)