‘They Must Think We Are Fools!’ Utomi Slams APC Over ₦100m SUVs Amid Soldiers’ Poor Salaries

Political economist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Pat Utomi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for distributing luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to selected youth leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Utomi questioned the party’s decision to distribute the vehicles amid economic hardship and concerns about Nigerian soldiers’ salaries, arguing that the funds could have been channelled into more pressing national needs.

In a post on X on Sunday, the professor faulted the contrast between the expensive vehicles and what he described as the poor remuneration of military personnel.

“Nigerian soldiers are being paid peanuts as salaries, yet an APC youth leader is flaunting SUVs worth billions of naira. This is the same government that told Nigerians there was no longer money in the treasury. At this point, they must think we are fools!” he wrote.

In a separate post, Utomi questioned the cost of the vehicles, suggesting that the money spent on them could have been used to improve emergency healthcare services.

“Each of the SUVs in this video costs more than ₦100 million. I wonder how many world-class ambulances the millions being spent on these vehicles could buy. What a pity!” he added.

The criticism followed a video shared by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, showing brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs he said were presented to selected youth leaders to support their mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

In the accompanying post, Israel said the vehicles were given to youth leaders in recognition of their commitment to the party’s activities.

“Today, I presented a brand-new 2026 Prado to my committed selected youth leaders to aid their election mobilisation activities,” He wrote.

Israel also expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for what he described as her continued support for the APC structure under his leadership.

“The party is supreme, and that supremacy will show in our action in this election period — we will deliver polling unit by polling unit,” he added.

The video, which has since been deleted, sparked criticism on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the timing of the distribution against the backdrop of rising living costs and the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The controversy has also drawn attention to questions about political spending, the welfare of military personnel and the allocation of public resources as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.

Utomi’s remarks have placed vehicle distribution at the centre of a wider debate over political parties’ priorities and the competing demands for resources in a country grappling with economic pressures and security challenges.