APC, PDP Clash Over Gov Adeleke’s Tractor Procurement
1 year ago 3 min read
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are embroiled in a heated dispute over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s claim of procuring 72 tractors, despite only 31 being unveiled.
The controversy began when Governor Adeleke, ahead of a public unveiling, claimed that the state had taken delivery of 72 tractors out of a planned 114.
However, THE WHISTLER reported that during Friday’s unveiling ceremony, only 31 tractors were presented to the public, thereby raising questions about the discrepancy.
Tajudeen Lawal, the APC State Chairman, issued a statement on Sunday criticising Governor Adeleke for what he termed as deception regarding the tractor procurement.
Lawal accused the governor of misleading the public, particularly farmers, about the number of tractors acquired.
He said, “people of the state should be wary of the antics of Governor Ademola Adeleke over controversial tractors which his government are bandying around to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, particularly the hardworking farmers in the state.”
“Some days ago, the Osun public were startled to see weird and berserk display of 31 tractors along some streets in Osogbo, the state capital, by the handlers of the state government – a development taking place a clear one month after the governor, through his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, had announced that 72 of 114 such tractors were already in custody in the state.
“Two of the tractors had a forceful stopover around Igbona area of the state capital, an incident speculated to be mechanical fault of the touted newly procured equipment.”
He called the tractor unveiling a “vacuous road show” and demanded an apology from the governor for the alleged misrepresentation.
The APC also raised concerns about the financial aspects of the procurement. Lawal pointed out that only N3.7bn was allocated for Agriculture in the 2024 state budget, questioning how the government plans to spend N10bn on tractors and farming inputs.
The opposition party further called for clarification on the procurement process and its funding.
In response, James Bamgbose, the PDP’s Deputy Director of Media and Publicity, defended the government’s actions.
Bamgbose dismissed the APC’s criticism as a “shameful display of ignorance” and affirmed the Adeleke administration’s commitment to its 5-point campaign agenda.
He stated that the government is open to a supplementary budget to fund any remaining expenses related to the tractor procurement.
The PDP spokesperson also countered by questioning the APC’s lack of investment in tractors during their previous 12-year tenure in the state.
He asserted that the Adeleke administration’s efforts represent a significant improvement in agricultural investment compared to the previous government.
Quoting Bamgbose, “APC should tell the good people of Osun State why in their 12 years of mismanagement of state resources, there was no additional tractor added to the state inventory despite selling off all the tractors bought by the PDP administration before them.”
“On their question on budgetary provision, APC should be informed that the government is open to a supplementary budget to fund whatever remains in the figure quoted by the governor.
“The mere announcement by the Governor that a total of N10bn will be spent on agriculture does not mean it has been spent.
“I advise the attention-seeking party to embrace the reality of them never getting to the corridor of power again, not to talk of getting to power in the state.“
