By Ayobami Okerinde
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the reported distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles to All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders as an insult to Nigerians grappling with hunger and rising living costs.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, called on President Bola Tinubu and the Presidency to explain the source of funding for the vehicles, reportedly 2026 models valued at more than N150m each.
In a statement on Monday issued 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, saying Nigerians deserved to know who paid for them.
“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.
Atiku asked whether the vehicles were purchased with the First Lady’s personal funds, donations or public resources, demanding that the Presidency disclose the total cost and source of the money.
“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,” the former vice-president said.
He argued that the reported gifts were inappropriate at a time when many Nigerians 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.
Atiku also questioned the timing of the reported vehicle distribution, alleging that APC women leaders had previously received luxury vehicles and that the earlier gifts came shortly before the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
He said the latest reported distribution raised concerns about the government’s spending priorities amid economic hardship and insecurity.
“While Nigerians continue to ask where the savings from subsidy removal have gone, the Presidency must explain how such costly gifts are being funded. If the vehicles were paid for privately, the source of the funds should be disclosed. If public resources were used, the government must identify who authorised the spending and under what legal authority,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate further alleged that the scale of the reported gifts raised questions about whether wealth and public resources were being used to secure political loyalty.
He also criticised what he described as displays of privilege among individuals associated with the President, citing reports that the APC National Youth Leader travelled by private jet.
Atiku extended his criticism to the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, referring to widely circulated photographs said to show him 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. When the household of the President and the youth leader of his party flaunt such wealth in a season of hunger, insecurity and joblessness, they are not merely displaying poor taste; they are telling Nigerians, in the plainest possible terms, how little their suffering registers in the corridors of power,” Atiku said.
He asked why Nigerians were being made to endure economic hardship while people close to the administration allegedly enjoyed lavish privileges.
“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.
“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 added, “Tinubu made life difficult. I will make life affordable again.”
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