The Edo State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), His Royal Highness, Alhaji Baki Dogwo, has denied allegations of diverting or reselling fertilisers allocated to farmers in the state by the Federal Government.

Dogwo, who was reacting to allegations contained in a recent news report, described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that he has neither diverted nor sold fertilisers meant for farmers.

He also clarified that the All Farmers Association of Nigeria is a different body from the Palm Produce Association of Nigeria, stressing that the two associations operate independently despite both being beneficiaries of Federal Government intervention in the agricultural sector.

According to him, both associations received fertilisers from the Federal Government, but the fertilisers allocated to AFAN were duly distributed among its members.

The AFAN chairman said the distribution was carried out without any complaints from his members, adding that no member of the association had accused him of diverting or selling the fertilisers allocated to them.

Dogwo therefore urged the public to disregard what he described as false allegations being peddled against him, saying the claims were capable of damaging his reputation and that of the association he leads.

He specifically cautioned the Edo State Chairman of the Palm Produce Association of Nigeria, Luke Atoe, to desist from making what he described as unfounded allegations against him.

Dogwo said if Atoe continued to peddle what he described as falsehoods about his person, he would have no option but to seek legal redress.

He stressed that he was prepared to defend his integrity and reputation through lawful means, while urging stakeholders in the agricultural sector to avoid statements capable of creating unnecessary tension among farmers' groups in the state.

The AFAN chairman maintained that the fertiliser allocated to his association was properly accounted for and distributed to its intended beneficiaries, insisting that the allegation of diversion was without basis.