Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to explain the financing behind reports that luxury sport utility vehicles valued at more than ₦150 million each were distributed to leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing.
Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, criticised the reported distribution, arguing that such expensive political gifts were difficult to justify amid widespread hunger, rising living costs and economic hardship across Nigeria.
The former vice president’s position was conveyed in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to the statement, APC National Youth Leader reportedly attributed the vehicle donations to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. Atiku consequently demanded clarification on whether the vehicles were purchased with private money, donations or public funds.
He also asked the Presidency to disclose the total expenditure and identify whoever financed the exercise, insisting that Nigerians deserved transparency over spending of such magnitude.
Atiku argued that the reported gifts reflected misplaced priorities at a time when many households were struggling to afford food, transportation and other essential needs. He questioned why party officials appeared to be receiving expensive vehicles while citizens continued to wait for substantial relief from the economic crisis.
The ADC presidential candidate also recalled reports of luxury vehicles previously distributed to APC women leaders, arguing that the latest development suggested a continuing pattern of lavish spending on political loyalists despite persistent insecurity and financial difficulties.
He further challenged the government to account for the benefits of petrol subsidy removal, asking whether public resources had been used to finance the reported distribution. He maintained that if government funds were involved, the authorities should disclose who approved the expenditure and the legal basis for it.
Beyond the vehicle controversy, Atiku criticised what he described as displays of extraordinary wealth among individuals close to the President. He cited reports about the APC youth leader’s use of a private jet and widely circulated images of Seyi Tinubu wearing an expensive Richard Mille wristwatch.
According to Atiku, such displays of affluence stood in sharp contrast to the circumstances of ordinary Nigerians facing unemployment, insecurity and the rising cost of basic necessities. He argued that public officials and politically connected individuals should be prepared to answer questions about wealth and spending rather than dismiss demands for accountability.
The former vice president warned that the alleged distribution raised concerns about whether national resources were being used to secure political loyalty instead of addressing pressing public needs.
Atiku also pledged that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would investigate any expenditure found to have been made unlawfully and ensure that those responsible were held accountable.
He maintained that Nigerians needed concrete explanations about the reported vehicle purchases, arguing that transparency and economic relief should take precedence over expensive political rewards.
The Presidency’s response to Atiku’s demands was not included in the statement provided.
