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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the reported distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders as an insult to Nigerians battling hunger, rising living costs and economic hardship.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has challenged President Bola Tinubu and the Presidency to explain the source of funding for the vehicles, reportedly 2026 models valued at more than ₦150 million each.
In a statement issued on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned reports that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu donated the vehicles for political mobilisation.
He said Nigerians deserved to know who paid for the vehicles and whether the money came from private funds, donations or public 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.
The former vice-president called on the Presidency to disclose the total cost of the vehicles and provide a clear account of the source of the funds.
He argued that the reported distribution was inappropriate at a time when many families were struggling to afford food, transport 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,” he said.
Atiku also questioned what had happened to savings from the removal of the petrol subsidy, insisting that Nigerians deserved greater transparency over government spending and the use of public resources.
He warned that if public funds were used to purchase the vehicles, the government should identify who authorised the expenditure and the legal basis for it.
The ADC presidential candidate further questioned the timing of the reported gifts, alleging that APC women leaders had previously received luxury vehicles shortly before schoolchildren were abducted in Oyo State.
He said the latest reports raised concerns about the administration’s spending priorities amid economic hardship and persistent insecurity.
Atiku also criticised what he described as displays of wealth among individuals associated with the President.
He cited reports that the APC National Youth Leader travelled by private jet and referred to photographs reportedly showing President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, wearing a Richard Mille RM 67-02 Sébastien Ogier wristwatch said to be worth about $500,000.
According to Atiku, such displays of luxury were difficult to reconcile with the hardship facing millions of Nigerians.
He argued that citizens deserved answers about the reported vehicle distribution rather than what he described as displays of wealth for political mobilisation.
Atiku pledged that, if elected president, he would investigate any public funds found to have been spent illegally and ensure that those responsible were held accountable.
“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.”
