Farmers in Ekiti State have accused the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of stealing over N10 billion meant for the development of Agriculture in the State, describing the governor as enemy of farmers.
In a handbill circulated in Ekiti State yesterday, the Ekiti State Small Scale Farmers Association ( ESFA) said farmers in the state will not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 21 governorship election.
The handbill titled; “why Ekiti State farmers may not vote for Governor Kayode Fayemi, ” was signed by ESFA President, Ogunkile John and Secretary, Suberu Hammed.
It reads; “Ekiti State Government is an enemy of the farmers.
“For over three years , Ekiti farmers have not gotten any patronage from the Government of Fayemi, be it soft loan, or any financial aid for the farmers.
“Fayemi Government misappropriated the N1 billion left in the account of the state for the farmers by Chief Segun Oni administration ( CBN FUND).
“The Commissioner of Agriculture in Ekiti, Hon Arowosafe and his consultant, Engr Ilesanmi should account for over N10 billion UNDP assistance to Ekiti farmers.
“Engr Ilesanmi, the consultant is the real enemy of Ekiti farmers, he intentionally wanted to destabilize the Ministry of Agriculture because of his failed bid to be the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
“YCAN is one of the failed programme of the Ministry, on which billions of naira of UNDP fund has been expended and embezzled.
“They have been sabotaging all the Federal Government partnership intervention programmes for Ekiti farmers.
“They have been using the principle of divide and rule for Ekiti farmers and Association. The Chairman All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Ekiti Chapter has been adequately bribed with the some N5 million to overlook all their inadequacies in the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ekiti farmers.
“The consultant, Engr Ilesanmi, a pastor from Redeem Church is now the Alpha and Omega in the Ministry and he is known for his fraudulent antecedent and he goes home every month with average of N2 million, out of which N500,000 is his salary as consultant to the Ministry. Aside from his Monthly pension as a retired director from the Ministry.
“All these moneys are enough to create more job opportunities in the area of Agriculture and a single man goes home with such Tax Payer’s money.
“Questions that are begging for Answers.
“What is the benefit of a consultant to the Ministry where we have qualified and experience personnel?
“Why was Engr Ilesanmi suddenly appointed as a consultant to the Ministry in just a Month after his retirement?
“Is there any fraud or shoddy deals that he is covering up for the Government, as to the Misappropriations of UNDP fund?
“Where is the state appropriated budget for the Ministry of Agriculture in Ekiti,since the Ministry is being run with the fund from UNDP?
“What’s the future of small scale Agriculture in Ekiti State, not even now that all state Governments are looking at Agriculture as alternative?