Tractorgate: Adeleke Must Prove Osun People Have Not Been Scammed - APC

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of using diversionary tactics to parry all the germane questions put to it on the raging issues associated with the controversial purchase of the multi-billion naira tractors by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

We are now more concerned about the story around the transaction given the latest information from many farmers in the state.

According to the farmers, the government, after entering into an unholy alliance with the suppliers of the tractors, is cajoling them (farmers) to take possession of the tractors under stringent  conditions, including paying back on instalment-payment basis. 

The farmers are troubled that the government, which has boasted over purchase of new tractors for farmers, is now, through the backdoor, forcing same farmers to pay through their noses to take full possession  of what they called substandard machines with low durability. 

Given the revelation from the farmers as well as the deafening silence of the government to our query on the subject matter, we are tempted to believe that the "tractorization revolution" of the state government is all ruse and deception to score cheap political points and ram unsuspecting farm into perpetual debt with "hire-purchase" arrangement that has allegedly been foisted on them.

We make bold to state that the dubious tone of the response of the ruling party to our query is an attestation to the fact that Governor Adeleke and his handlers definitely have something to hide on the issues of the contentious  tractors. 

In order to prove that the embattled Governor Adeleke has no sinister intention on the tractors' purchase, it is important the government of Osun clears the rumour relating to the procurement of the tractors by answering the earlier evaded questions below without further delay:

1. Is it true each tractor (with full implements) cost N70 million having regard that N8 billion was splashed on 114  tractors?

2. If NO, how much did each tractor ( with full implements) cost?

3. How many tractors were ordered by the state government?

4. How many tractors have been fully paid for? 

5. How many tractors have been received and in the custody of the state government? 

6. When is the exact date the state would take full possession of the awaiting tractors?

7. What is the brand name/specification of the tractors? 

8. Who is/are the supplier(s) of the tractors? 

9. When (exact date) will the state government distribute the available tractors to farmers, farmers' cooperative associations or agriculture agencies in the state?

10. Are the tractors being given to the farmers on a rent-basis, hire-purchase or other finance leasing plan?

Anything short of answering the questions would validate the claim flying around that Osun people have been scammed once again through the shoddy and sleazy tractors' transaction.

e-SIGNED:

Chief KOLA OLABISI,             Osun State APC Director of Media and Information.