Farmers in Ogun State have accused the government of Ogun State and senators elected under the ruling All Progressives Congress of diverting tractors and other agric equipment procured, revealing that the tools were not made available for their genuine purposes.
The farmers said the equipment were only displayed during inauguration only "for show", and not for the benefit of struggling farmers.
The State Coordinator of Egba Rural Farmers Association, Adebowale Jamiu, said this during an engagement meeting with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo at Osoba Hilltop, Abeokuta, capital of the state, on Thursday.
While lamenting the challenges Ogun farmers were battling across the state, owing to non-availability of agriculture equipment such as tractors, fertilizers and others, Jamiu further noted that the current federal lawmakers only claimed to have procured equipment, which did not reach genuine farmers in the state.
Jamiu said farmers were fed up with fake empowerment programmes and had decided to find succour by declaring support for the Ogun PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu; Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and the PDP candidate for Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi Owode Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye.
Speaking at the engagement meeting, Jamiu said, "They have been doing audio empowerment. No farmer in Ogun can boast of any farm equipment. They display these tractors and other items but it won't get to farmers. They present these equipment and immediately negotiate how they will sell them.
"Because of these corrupt practices, our farmers have incurred a lot of losses and debts. But, with Ladi Adebutu and Iyabo Obasanjo, we have hope."
He further noted, "We want to thank Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, for adhering to the call of service. We are optimistic that she will address all the challenges we are facing once she is elected."
Jamiu, therefore, disclosed the resolve of farmers across Ogun to return to grassroots communities and galvanise people to vote all PDP candidates in the 2027 general elections.
In her remarks, Iyabo Obasanjo promised to work with Adebutu and other elected officials in PDP to tackle the challenges confronting farmers.
This pledge was re-echoed by Dele Olaleye, who noted that local government autonomy, which is one of the agenda of Adebutu, would transform agriculture and the lives of farmers.
The deputy governorship candidate of Ogun PDP, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, further charged the farmers to intensify their mobilisation for Adebutu's victory, arguing that farmers and the generality of Ogun people would enjoy better governance once elected.
Addressing the farmers, Showunmi-Kolapo said, "A farmer wants to be in governance in Ogun this time around. Farming is very important in the society. During the COVID era, Ladi Adebutu was distributing cows and other animals to the people.
"They have told us not to allow strangers enslave us. This is a land of freedom. You have the command of about 20 other people in your respective places, so, work for the emergence of Adebutu. He is a talk and do politician.
"his election is different because we want to free ourselves from those who want to enslave us. Let's return to our homes and engage them. Vote PDP. Let's show them that power indeed resides with the people.
"Don't fold your arms, do your duty and galvanize support. Stand by your votes and ensure there is no malpractice. By God's grace, farmers will no longer suffer."
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