Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded that President Bola Tinubu explain the reported distribution of 2026-model luxury SUVs to youth leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku said distributing luxury vehicles at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship raises fundamental questions about national priorities and the source of funding.
Reacting on Monday through Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communications for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku called for a transparent public account of the purchases.
“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,” Atiku said.
He stressed that the First Lady holds no constitutionally defined elective or executive office and that the Presidency owes citizens clarity regarding the financing.
“The First Lady holds no elected or executive office. 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. Nigerians cannot be expected to accept a fleet of expensive vehicles for party loyalists without knowing who financed them,” he said.
Atiku argued that the timing of the reported gifts was insensitive to the plight of struggling households.
“At a time families cannot afford food, transport and other basic necessities, these gifts raise concerns. 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 recalled that APC women leaders had reportedly received luxury vehicles earlier, followed by the reported distribution to youth leaders.
“First, APC women leaders reportedly received luxury vehicles. Now, according to the National Youth Leader, APC youth leaders are receiving SUVs from the First Lady. The earlier gifts came on the eve of the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State. Now another round of political giving is taking place while Nigerians face hardship,” Atiku stated.
He maintained that, while citizens continue to question the whereabouts of savings realised from the removal of petrol subsidies, the Presidency must account for how such political donations are funded.
“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.
Atiku warned that the scale of the distribution raised questions about the possible misuse of public assets for partisan patronage.
“The scale of these gifts raises questions about whether our collective patrimony is being diverted to buy political loyalty,” he said.
He also pointed out that the youth leader who publicised the vehicles was reportedly seen travelling by private jet, contrasting this with the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
“The same youth leader who made the gifts public is reportedly travelling by private jet. That image of privilege stands in contrast to hardship facing ordinary Nigerians. The Presidency should not treat questions about wealth and spending as an inconvenience. Nigerians have a right to ask where the money came from,” he said.
Atiku also referenced widely circulated photographs of President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, wearing a luxury wristwatch reportedly valued at nearly $500,000, while the administration repeatedly urges citizens to endure austerity.
He insisted that the government must address spending on political patronage rather than flaunting affluence.
“Why is the government inflicting such pain on Nigerians while those closest to power enjoy such privilege? Nigerians need answers, not another display of wealth for political mobilisation,” he said.
“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. Tinubu made life difficult. I will make life affordable again,” Atiku added.
