Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain the reported distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs), allegedly worth more than ₦150 million each, to youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the demand in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, questioning the source of funding for the vehicles and whether public resources were involved.
The statement was issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, who described the reported distribution as an example of excessive political spending at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities.
According to Atiku, the APC National Youth Leader had said the vehicles were donated by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. He argued that Nigerians deserved to know whether the SUVs were purchased with 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,” the statement read.
Atiku called on the Presidency to disclose the total cost of the vehicles and identify who financed their purchase, insisting that the public had a right to question the scale of the reported expenditure.
He criticised the alleged gifts against the backdrop of rising food and transport costs, arguing that the government had yet to provide sufficient relief to households facing economic hardship.
“At a time families cannot afford food, transport and other basic necessities, these gifts are a brazen insult to the people,” the statement said.
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The former vice president also referenced reports that APC women leaders had previously received luxury vehicles, questioning the timing of the reported distributions amid insecurity and economic challenges.
He further called on the government to explain how the reported spending relates to its management of public finances, particularly following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“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,” the statement added.
Atiku also raised questions about the reported lifestyle of the APC National Youth Leader, including claims that the official travels by private jet, contrasting the alleged privileges with the economic difficulties experienced by many Nigerians.
The statement extended its criticism to Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, referring to widely circulated photographs said to show him wearing a Richard Mille RM 67-02 Sébastien Ogier wristwatch. Atiku’s camp put the watch’s value at close to $500,000.
The ADC candidate argued that such displays of wealth were difficult to reconcile with calls for Nigerians to endure economic hardship while waiting for improved living conditions.
He maintained that the Presidency should provide a clear explanation of the funding behind the reported vehicle distribution and address concerns about transparency and the use of public resources.
The allegations and questions raised by Atiku had not been accompanied by a response from the Presidency in the information provided for this report. The claims about the vehicles’ value, funding source and the circumstances of their distribution therefore remain allegations requiring official clarification.