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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