By Stella Odueme
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded an explanation from President Bola Tinubu over the reported distribution of luxury SUVs, valued at more than ₦150 million each, to All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leaders amid worsening economic hardship in the country.
Atiku, in his X handle on Monday, described the reported distribution of the 2026-model vehicles as an extravagant display of privilege, questioning the source of funding at a time millions of Nigerians are struggling with hunger, rising transportation costs and other economic challenges.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku called on the Presidency to disclose who financed the vehicles, their total cost and the circumstances surrounding their distribution.
He said the APC National Youth Leader had reportedly attributed the donation to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, raising questions about whether the vehicles were purchased with private funds, donations or public resources.
According to Atiku, Nigerians deserve a transparent account of the expenditure, given the high value of the vehicles and the economic difficulties confronting ordinary citizens.
He said it was unacceptable for Nigerians to be asked to endure economic hardship while political loyalists allegedly received expensive vehicles for party mobilisation.
The ADC presidential candidate further questioned the government's spending priorities, arguing that the reported gifts raised concerns about the use of resources at a time many families could barely afford basic necessities.
Atiku recalled reports that APC women leaders had earlier received luxury vehicles, alleging that the latest distribution to youth leaders reflected a growing culture of extravagant political patronage.
He also linked the reported gifts to broader concerns over insecurity, hunger and the rising cost of living, insisting that the government must account for the benefits Nigerians were expected to derive from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The former vice president said that if the vehicles were purchased privately, the source of the funds should be disclosed, but if public resources were involved, the government should identify those who authorised the expenditure and the legal basis for it.
He warned that the reported scale of the distribution raised concerns about the possible use of national resources to secure political loyalty at the expense of citizens' welfare.
Atiku also criticised what he described as the contrast between the privileges enjoyed by political figures and the economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
He cited reports that the APC National Youth Leader travels by private jet, arguing that such displays of affluence were at odds with the hardship experienced by many citizens.
The ADC candidate further drew attention to widely circulated images of President Tinubu's son, Seyi Tinubu, wearing a Richard Mille RM 67-02 Sébastien Ogier wristwatch reportedly valued at about $500,000.
Atiku argued that such displays of luxury were particularly troubling when Nigerians were being urged to make sacrifices and wait for relief from the economic crisis.
He maintained that the Presidency must answer questions about the source of funding for the reported SUV gifts, stressing that Nigerians have a right to demand accountability and transparency in public affairs.