Uproar Trails APC SUV Gifts As ADC, NDC, Others React

The distribution of seven brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to selected youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered criticism from opposition parties, politicians and other Nigerians, with questions raised about political spending amid economic hardship and the funding of the vehicles ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy followed a video shared on Sunday by the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, showing seven 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs presented to selected youth leaders to support their election mobilisation activities.

Israel, in the post, said the vehicles were intended to assist the beneficiaries in their political assignments ahead of the 2027 elections, while expressing appreciation to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her support for the party’s youth structure.

The post subsequently attracted widespread criticism, with Nigerians questioning the reported cost of the vehicles and the appropriateness of distributing expensive SUVs for political mobilisation at a time when households are struggling with the cost of living.

Israel later deleted the post, but the controversy continued as screenshots and recordings of the video circulated on social media.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the distribution, describing the reported expenditure, estimated at about ₦1 billion, as an indication of the disparity between the sacrifices Nigerians are being asked to make and the privileges enjoyed by political operatives.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, questioned the ruling party’s priorities and demanded disclosure of the source of funding for the vehicles.

Abdullahi said the development raised concerns about the contrast between the economic difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians and the resources available for political mobilisation by the ruling party.

The ADC also questioned why expensive vehicles were being provided for party mobilisation when many young Nigerians were still waiting for employment opportunities and economic relief.

The party demanded that the APC disclose who financed the vehicles and clarify whether public funds were involved in their acquisition.

It maintained that Nigerians deserved answers about the expenditure, particularly as the country approached another general election.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the ADC for the 2027 general election, also called on the Presidency to explain how the expensive vehicles were funded.

Atiku in a statement signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director for  Communication and Strategy, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, questioned the source of the money used for the donation, arguing that Nigerians deserved transparency over expenditure involving political activities, especially if public resources were involved.

He said the Presidency should explain how the gifts were financed and disclose the source of the funds if the vehicles were purchased privately.

He also argued that if public resources were used, the government should identify who authorised the expenditure and under what legal authority.

Atiku warned against the use of public resources to reward political loyalty, maintaining that the country’s wealth should not be deployed to serve the interests of a few while ordinary citizens continued to struggle.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) also criticised the APC over the reported distribution, estimating the combined value of the seven vehicles at ₦1.015 billion.

In its reaction to the development the party’s official X account, the party queried the priorities reflected in the reported expenditure and drew attention to the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

The NDC’s estimate was based on an assumed price of ₦145 million for each brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado.

Using that figure, the party calculated the value of the seven vehicles at ₦1.015 billion.

The NDC’s criticism added to calls for transparency over the cost and financing of the vehicles, as well as questions about the allocation of resources for political mobilisation amid economic hardship.

Also Speaking, Professor Pat Utomi, a chieftain of the party , equally criticised the display of the luxury vehicles, decrying the expenditure against the backdrop of concerns about the remuneration and welfare of Nigerian soldiers.

In a post on X, Utomi said: “Nigerian soldiers are being paid peanuts as salaries, yet an APC youth leader is flaunting SUVs worth billions of naira.”

He also challenged the government’s position on the country’s financial circumstances, arguing that the display of expensive vehicles contrasted with assurances that resources were constrained.

In another reaction, Utomi questioned whether the money spent on the vehicles could have been used to provide well-equipped ambulances and improve emergency medical services.

He argued that the expenditure should be considered against the need to strengthen essential public services, particularly healthcare.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the 2027 general election, also criticised the reported expenditure.

Sowore compared the estimated cost of the vehicles with the wages of Nigerian workers, arguing that the money could have provided substantial financial support to employees struggling with the cost of living.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Exactly 2,200 Nigerian workers could each receive a monthly minimum wage of N500,000 from the N1.1 billion being spent on Toyota Prado SUVs for @OfficialAPCNg youth leaders.”

His comparison highlighted the competing demands on financial resources at a time when workers and households face economic pressures.

The controversy took another turn after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu allegedly confirmed that she donated vehicles to the APC National Youth Wing to support grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

She was said to have made the disclosure on Sunday during a campaign strategy meeting with regional APC youth leaders led by Israel at the State House in Abuja.

According to reports of her remarks, the First Lady said her office would provide campaign materials, footwear and other items to support the party’s youth leaders.

She also confirmed donating additional utility vehicles to facilitate their movement and strengthen grassroots outreach.

The First Lady urged the youth leaders to intensify their mobilisation efforts and focus on tangible results rather than relying solely on social media activities.