Atiku asks Tinubu, wife to explain SUV donations to APC loyalists

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to explain the source of funds used to purchase luxury SUVs reportedly donated to APC loyalists.

Reports on Sunday said the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, announced on social media that he had donated several 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Israel reportedly acknowledged the First Lady’s support in acquiring the vehicles.

Reacting, Abubakar questioned how the vehicles were funded, estimating their value at more than N150 million each.

The former vice-president made his position known in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

“The APC national youth leader says these vehicles were donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu,” Abubakar said.

He insisted that Nigerians deserved to know the source of the funds used to purchase and distribute the vehicles for political mobilisation.

“Nigerians cannot be expected to accept a fleet of extraordinarily expensive vehicles for party loyalists without knowing who financed them,” he said.

Abubakar described Israel’s announcement as brazen, criticising the reported donations amid the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.

He said many families were struggling to afford food, transportation and other basic necessities under the prevailing economic conditions.

“At a time when families cannot afford food, transport and other basic necessities, these gifts are a brazen insult to the people,” he said.

The ADC presidential hopeful questioned why luxury vehicles were reportedly being provided to APC youth leaders while millions of Nigerians continued to grapple with the rising cost of living.

He described the development as more than a case of misplaced priorities, calling it an extraordinary display of executive recklessness.

Abubakar also cited previous instances in which APC women and youth leaders reportedly received buses from the First Lady.

He linked the criticism to the reported distribution of the buses around the time schoolchildren were abducted in Oyo State.

The former vice-president further drew attention to expensive wristwatches worn by Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, as part of his broader criticism of displays of wealth among those associated with the ruling party.