The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for questioning the state government's recent tractor procurement, calling the opposition's concerns baseless and lacking in understanding of governance.
The controversy follows the Osun State government’s purchase of tractors in August as part of its initiative to revitalize agriculture. The PDP, in a statement released on Sunday by James Bamgbose, the Deputy Director of Media and Publicity, dismissed the APC's comments as a reflection of their ignorance and a confirmation of their rejection by the electorate.
Bamgbose emphasized Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to his five-point campaign agenda, stating that the government’s efforts in various sectors demonstrate its dedication to development. He also criticized the APC for its record during its 12 years in power, arguing that the party did not add any new tractors to the state's inventory and sold off those acquired by previous PDP administrations.
"Democracy thrives on constructive opposition that holds the government accountable, but it is difficult for a failure to recognize success, let alone provide meaningful criticism," Bamgbose stated. He also dismissed the APC's concerns over budgetary provisions, clarifying that the government could introduce a supplementary budget if necessary.
The APC, however, voiced strong reservations about the tractor procurement, urging residents to remain vigilant. Tajudeen Lawal, the APC's state chairman, expressed disappointment that only 32 tractors were unveiled instead of the 72 promised. The party also raised questions about the N10 billion allocated to the initiative, which far exceeds the state's total 2024 agriculture budget of N3.7 billion.
Lawal criticized the government for allegedly misleading the public about the number of tractors purchased and expressed concerns that the tractors might not be immediately available to farmers due to "necessary administrative procedures."
“There is a need for the state government to clarify the situation, especially since only N3.7 billion is allocated for agriculture in the 2024 budget,” Lawal stated, suggesting the procurement could be a hire-purchase scheme rather than a direct government acquisition.
As both parties continue to trade accusations, the tractor procurement issue remains a heated topic in Osun State, with each side accusing the other of misleading the public and failing to prioritize the welfare of farmers and the development of agriculture.
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