The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded that President Bola Tinubu explain who paid for luxury SUVs reportedly handed to leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing, saying the gifts are an insult to Nigerians struggling with hunger and rising living costs.
The former vice president said each of the 2026 model vehicles is worth more than ₦150 million.
He made the claim in a statement on Monday by his Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.
According to Atiku, the APC National Youth Leader said the vehicles were donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
He argued that the First Lady holds no elected or executive office and asked whether the cars were bought with her personal funds, donations or public money. He also asked what the total cost was.
“Nigerians deserve to know where the money came from to buy and distribute so many 2026 model SUVs,” he said.
He said that if the vehicles were bought privately, the source of the funds should be disclosed, and that if public resources were used, the government must say who authorised the spending and under what legal authority.
He warned that the scale of the gifts raised serious questions about whether public wealth was being diverted to buy political loyalty.
Atiku noted that APC women leaders had reportedly received luxury vehicles earlier, and said that a round of gifts came on the eve of the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
He also said the youth leader who made the latest gifts public was reportedly travelling by private jet.
The ADC candidate extended his criticism to the President’s family, pointing to widely circulated images of Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, wearing a Richard Mille RM 67-02 Sébastien Ogier watch, which he said sells for close to $500,000.
He said a worker on the national minimum wage would need several lifetimes to earn what the watch is worth.
“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 telling Nigerians how little their suffering registers,” Atiku said.
He also asked why the President was inflicting such pain on Nigerians while those close to the government enjoy lavish privilege, and said the Presidency must stop treating questions about spending as an inconvenience.
Atiku pledged that if he is sworn in as President, any naira found to have been spent illegally would be investigated and those culpable brought to justice.
“Tinubu made life difficult. I will make life affordable again,” he said.
