The Northern Ethnic Group Assembly (NEYGA) has demanded an end to the harassment of cashew farmers in Nigeria’s North Central region by Ojo Ajanaku, the self-appointed leader of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN). NEYGA, through its spokesperson Ibrahim Danmusa, issued a statement urging Mr. Ajanaku to desist from troubling the farmers and their vehicles.
In their declaration, NEYGA praised the Cashew Stakeholders Association for involving the Inspector General of Police rather than resorting to self-help. The group also urged the Federal Government, the Inspector General of Police, the Comptroller General of the NSCDC, and the governments of Edo, Ogun, and Lagos to take cognizance of the situation.
NEYGA emphasized that Mr. Ajanaku’s actions violate the right to freedom of assembly and association enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. They stressed the need for voluntary membership in any organization, cautioning against imposing oneself on others, which could foment anarchy. NEYGA highlighted that legal action is underway against Ajanaku, and they called for a thorough investigation into his alleged criminal activities.
The group asserted the right of the Cashew Stakeholders Association to operate without interference from NCAN. They cited Chapter 4, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing the entitlement of individuals to freely assemble and associate with others for the protection of their interests. NEYGA condemned Ajanaku’s use of armed thugs to block roads under the guise of the NCAN Taskforce, labeling it as illegal and raising concerns about NCAN’s legitimacy. NEYGA called on the public, relevant authorities, and the states of Ogun, Edo, and Lagos to probe Hon. Ojo Ajanaku’s alleged criminal activities.
This development underscores the tensions within Nigeria’s cashew industry and the complexities surrounding the freedom of association and the protection of farmers’ rights. The call by NEYGA for the dismantling of the NCAN highway taskforce sets the stage for potential legal and regulatory actions to address the concerns raised.
