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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Northern Ethnic Group Assembly (NEYGA) has protested against alleged harassment of cashew farmers especially in the North Central region, by the leadership of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN).
NEYGA, Spokesperson, Ibrahim Danmusa, in a statement on Saturday, appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and the government of Edo, Ogun and Lagos States to take note of the situation.
Danmusa, also called on the Federal Government to dismantle illegal roadblocks mounted by NCAN across the country, saying that the checkpoints were obstructing free movement of goods.
According to him, NCAN cannot force itself on cashew farmers, stating that membership of any organization should be voluntary, and an attempt to thrust oneself on the farmers would be dictatorial and will be resisted.
He pointed out that the misunderstanding was already before a court of competent jurisdiction, which aggrieved members must restraint themselves from illegal activities until the finality of the case.
The statement reads in part: “While we acknowledge his right to register and own an association, NEYGA says the Cashew Stakeholders Association that is known to the law/constitution whose members pay taxes accordingly and contributing to the National development should be allow to operates without any further interference from NCAN.
“His continued harassment of our members contradicts Chapter 4, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which says, ‘Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union, or any other association for the protection of his interests.’
“Allowing Ajanaku to block roads at will with in the name of NCAN Taskforce is illegal.
“We all know that NCAN is unacceptable and calls for concern and questioning. His activity is before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“We, therefore, urge the public, relevant authorities, Ogun, Edo and lagos state and appropriate bodies to investigate the activities of Ajanaku.”
