African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to explain the reported distribution of 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs to selected All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Atiku questioned the source of funding for the vehicles, demanding transparency over who financed their purchase and the total cost of the distribution.
In a statement released on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the ADC presidential campaign council, Atiku said Nigerians deserved answers at a time when many households were struggling with rising living costs.
The controversy followed a now-deleted social media post by Dayo Israel, the APC national youth leader, announcing that he had presented brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado vehicles to selected youth leaders “to support their election mobilisation activities”.
Israel also thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her continued support for the party structure under his leadership.
Atiku questions funding of SUVs
Atiku said the reported distribution raised concerns about the source of the funds used to purchase the vehicles and whether public resources were involved.
“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 ₦150 million, for political mobilisation,” he said.
“The Presidency must provide a clear account. Nigerians cannot be expected to accept a fleet of extraordinarily expensive vehicles for party loyalists without knowing who financed them.”
The former vice-president said the reported gifts were particularly concerning as many Nigerians struggled to afford food, transportation and other essential items.
“At a time families cannot afford food, transport and other basic necessities, these gifts are a brazen insult to the people,” he said.
Atiku urged the Presidency to clarify whether the vehicles were purchased with Oluremi Tinubu’s personal funds, private donations or public resources.
He said that if private funds were used, the source of the money should be disclosed. He added that any involvement of public funds would require an explanation of who authorised the expenditure and the legal basis for it.
The ADC candidate also criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as inadequate relief for Nigerians grappling with rising living costs.
He questioned how the government could justify the reported distribution of expensive vehicles to party loyalists while citizens continued to demand accountability over the use of savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Atiku further alleged that the latest distribution followed an earlier round of luxury vehicle gifts to APC women leaders.
He said the development raised questions about the ruling party’s priorities amid concerns over hunger, insecurity and unemployment.
The former vice-president also warned that the reported distribution raised concerns about the possible use of public resources to secure political loyalty.
“Nigeria cannot be run as a captured state, where wealth and influence serve the powerful while ordinary citizens are left to struggle,” he said.
Atiku called on Tinubu and the Presidency to explain how the vehicles were funded rather than dismissing questions about the expenditure.
He also pledged that, if elected president, his administration would investigate any public spending found to have been unlawful and prosecute those responsible.
“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 added.