N1bn Prado SUVs: Atiku, ADC call for clarification as debate continues

• Utomi, Tinubu supporters and other Nigerians question reported expenditure, priorities

From** Ndubuisi Orji,** Abuja, and agency reports

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have called for clarification and possible investigation into seven Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs reportedly presented to selected All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders. Public statements and social media reports described the vehicles as 2026 models worth more than N1 billion collectively, but their model year, purchase price and total value have not been independently verified.

The controversy drew criticism from political economist Pat Utomi, some Tinubu supporters and other Nigerians, who questioned the reported expenditure in light of concerns about soldiers’ remuneration, healthcare, unemployment and broader economic hardship. These reactions reflected commentators’ assessments and did not establish the source or amount of any expenditure.

The backlash intensified after APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel deleted a post announcing the presentation for grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. Screenshots and recordings continued to circulate. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu later confirmed donating vehicles to the APC youth wing, but did not disclose their purchase price or funding source.

Atiku and the ADC, in separate statements on Monday, asked Tinubu and APC leaders to disclose the financiers, purchase costs and whether public resources were involved. They criticised what they described as the ruling party’s focus on re-election activities while Nigerians faced hunger, unemployment, high transport costs and other economic difficulties. Those allegations had not been independently substantiated.

Atiku, in a statement issued by ADC Presidential Campaign Council Director of Strategic Communication Phrank Shaibu, described the reported distribution as insensitive to Nigerians being asked to endure the effects of the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

He asked whether the vehicles, which critics reportedly valued at more than N150 million each, were bought with the First Lady’s personal funds, private donations or government resources.

“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,” Atiku said.

He called for disclosure of the total cost and financing arrangements, adding that any public expenditure should be supported by evidence of lawful authorisation. He also questioned whether the donations were intended to reward political loyalty or secure electoral support, although Israel and the First Lady said their purpose was grassroots mobilisation.

Similarly, the ADC, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, criticised the APC for what it described as finding resources for its 2027 campaign while failing to provide economic relief to struggling Nigerians.

The party described the distribution as “an obscene display of extravagance at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling to afford food, transportation and other basic necessities.”

“President Tinubu asks Nigerians to endure hardship while his party distributes luxury vehicles to its political operatives. Apparently, sacrifice is for ordinary Nigerians, while luxury is reserved for those working to keep the APC in power,” it stated.

The ADC asked who financed the vehicles and whether public resources were involved. It provided no evidence that government funds financed them or that they formed part of a formally funded campaign operation.

Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, also called for documentary evidence, including purchase prices, payment records, financiers, beneficiaries and the purpose of the donations. He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent National Electoral Commission to examine the arrangements and determine whether public resources or campaign-finance rules were involved. There was no indication that either agency had opened an investigation or that any rule had been breached.

“The Nigerian treasury is not the APC’s campaign purse, and the Presidency must not become the ruling party’s election-financing machinery,” Ibe warned.

Reacting to Israel’s deleted post, he added: “Deleting the post cannot delete the demand for accountability.”

Utomi, an NDC chieftain, compared the reported presentation with concerns about soldiers’ remuneration and public-service funding.

“Nigerian soldiers are being paid peanuts as salaries, yet an APC youth leader is flaunting SUVs worth billions of naira,” he wrote on X.

The NDC estimated that each vehicle could cost N145 million, putting the total at about N1.015 billion. The estimate was not independently verified.

Social media users also questioned the timing and priorities associated with the donations. Some compared the reported vehicles with inadequate hospital equipment, healthcare workers’ financial difficulties, unemployment and the cost of establishing primary healthcare centres. Others described the display as insensitive while Nigerians were being asked to endure economic reforms. These were commentators’ opinions, and the reported expenditure remained unverified.

Seun Durojaiye alleged that more than 20 Prado SUVs had been distributed nationwide at a cost exceeding N2 billion. The claim could not be independently verified, and the widely circulated video showed seven vehicles.

Some criticism came from Tinubu supporters. An X user identified as @Hausa said that although supporters wanted the president to succeed, distributing expensive vehicles for political mobilisation was insensitive and poorly timed. Political commentator Dipo Awojide said Israel had created unnecessary controversy for the APC and urged him to exercise better judgment.

“Dayo, you need friends who will tell you the truth,” Awojide wrote. “Do better Dayo!”

The controversy began on Sunday when Israel shared a video showing seven Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs, saying they had been presented to selected APC youth leaders for election mobilisation.

“Today, I presented brand new 2026 Prado to my committed selected youth leaders to aid their election mobilisation activities. I am grateful to my Mummy, H.E Mrs Oluremi Tinubu for her continuous support to the party structure under my leadership,” he wrote.

He said the party would intensify grassroots mobilisation and deliver electoral support “polling unit by polling unit.” Israel deleted the post about three hours later, but the video had already circulated widely.

Speaking at a campaign strategy meeting with regional APC youth leaders at the State House, Abuja, the First Lady confirmed donating utility vehicles to the party’s national youth wing to strengthen grassroots mobilisation. She said they were intended to facilitate movement and engagement with voters, particularly in hard-to-reach communities, and promised additional campaign materials.

Israel defended the donations, saying the vehicles would help officials reach rural communities, including areas with difficult terrain in the South-East and South-West, and explain the administration’s programmes to voters. He also highlighted government initiatives in healthcare, education and social welfare, including the student loan programme and primary healthcare reforms.

The actual purchase prices, precise model year and funding sources for the seven SUVs remain unestablished. Although critics have raised questions about possible public funding, no evidence has shown that government resources were unlawfully used. The absence of transaction records has nevertheless sustained calls for clarification about the financing arrangements and whether applicable political-finance rules were followed.

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