Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the reported distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles to All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders, describing the move as an insult to Nigerians battling hunger and rising living costs.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, called on the Presidency to explain the source of funding for the vehicles, reportedly 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs valued at more than ₦150m each.
In a statement issued on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned the reported donation of the vehicles by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
“The APC National Youth Leader says these vehicles were donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. Nigerians deserve to know where the money came from to buy and distribute so many 2026 model SUVs, each worth more than N150 million, for political mobilisation,” he said.
The former vice-president asked whether the vehicles were purchased with the First Lady’s personal funds, private donations or public resources, insisting that Nigerians deserved a clear account of the expenditure.
“The First Lady holds no elected or executive office. She is only a domestic appendage of the office of President. Were these vehicles bought with her personal funds, donations or public resources? Who paid for them? What was the total cost? The Presidency must provide a clear account,” Atiku said.
Atiku argued that the reported distribution was inappropriate at a time when many households were struggling to afford food, transportation and other basic necessities.
“At a time families cannot afford food, transport and other basic necessities, these gifts are a brazen insult to the people.
The government has found a way to provide luxury SUVs for APC youth leaders, yet millions of Nigerians are still waiting for meaningful relief from the cost of living crisis,” he said.
He also questioned the timing of the reported vehicle distribution, alleging that APC women leaders had previously received luxury vehicles shortly before schoolchildren were abducted in Oyo State.
Atiku said the reported gifts raised questions about the government’s spending priorities amid economic hardship and insecurity.
He further challenged the Presidency to explain how the vehicles were funded, particularly as Nigerians continued to seek answers about the use of savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“While Nigerians continue to ask where the savings from subsidy removal have gone, the Presidency must explain how such costly gifts are being funded,” he said.
Atiku added that if the vehicles were privately funded, the source of the money should be disclosed. If public funds were used, he said, the government should identify those who authorised the expenditure and the legal basis for it.
The ADC presidential candidate also alleged that the scale of the reported vehicle distribution raised concerns about the use of wealth and public resources to secure political loyalty.
He criticised what he described as displays of privilege among individuals associated with the President, including reports that APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel had travelled by private jet.
Atiku also referred to widely circulated photographs purportedly showing President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, wearing a Richard Mille RM 67-02 Sébastien Ogier wristwatch reportedly valued at about $500,000.
“A worker on the national minimum wage would need several lifetimes to earn what the President’s son wears on one wrist,” Atiku said.
He added that displays of wealth by people associated with the administration were particularly troubling amid hunger, insecurity and unemployment.
“Nigerians need answers, not another display of wealth for political mobilisation,” he said.
Atiku pledged to investigate any public funds found to have been spent illegally if elected president in 2027.
“When I am sworn in as president, every naira found to have been spent illegally will be thoroughly investigated, and everyone found culpable will be brought to justice,” he said.
He concluded with a criticism of the current administration’s economic record and a promise to make living costs more affordable.
“Tinubu made life difficult. I will make life affordable again,” Atiku said.
The controversy followed a video shared by APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel showing luxury SUVs reportedly presented to selected youth leaders to support election mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
