NDC chieftain Pat Utomi criticises APC over luxury SUV distribution to youth leaders

Professor Pat Utomi, a prominent chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a sharp critique of the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles to selected youth leaders. The controversy centres on a video shared by Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader, which depicted the handover of brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs. Israel stated that these vehicles were presented to committed youth leaders to facilitate election mobilisation efforts in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The video, which has since been removed from social media platforms, sparked immediate backlash from the public and political opponents.

In a series of posts on the social media platform X, Utomi expressed his dismay at the disparity between the government's stated financial constraints and the visible expenditure on luxury items. He highlighted that Nigerian soldiers are receiving what he described as meagre salaries, while an APC youth leader was displaying vehicles worth billions of naira. Utomi pointed out the contradiction in the administration's messaging, noting that Nigerians had been informed that there were no longer sufficient funds in the treasury. He questioned the logic behind such spending, suggesting that the public was being treated with a lack of respect.

Background

The incident involves Dayo Israel, who serves as the National Youth Leader for the APC. In the now-deleted video, Israel confirmed that he had presented the new 2026 Toyota Prado models to specific youth leaders to aid their activities in the upcoming election cycle. He attributed the provision of these vehicles to the support of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, describing her assistance as continuous for the party structure under his leadership. Israel also emphasised the supremacy of the party, stating that this dominance would be demonstrated through their actions during the election period, with a goal of delivering results polling unit by polling unit.

Utomi, writing as an NDC chieftain, noted that each of the SUVs featured in the video cost more than 100 million naira. He used this figure to question the opportunity cost of such expenditures, specifically asking how many world-class ambulances could have been purchased with the millions of naira spent on these vehicles. His comments framed the issue not just as a matter of luxury, but as a misallocation of resources that could have benefited the health sector. The timing of the distribution has been a focal point of criticism, with observers linking it to the economic hardships associated with the current administration's reforms.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights growing tensions regarding public spending priorities in Nigeria. Critics, including Utomi, argue that the display of wealth by political figures is inconsistent with the narrative of financial scarcity presented to the general public. The reaction on social media has been largely negative, with many Nigerians questioning the appropriateness of distributing such expensive assets during a period of economic difficulty. The debate touches on broader issues of accountability and the use of state or party resources for political mobilisation versus public welfare. By contrasting the cost of the SUVs with the potential purchase of medical equipment, Utomi aimed to underscore the perceived neglect of essential services in favour of political showmanship. The situation has added to the existing criticism surrounding the Tinubu administration's management of the economy and its communication with the populace.

What happens next

The sources do not specify any formal investigations, legal actions, or official responses from the APC or the federal government regarding the vehicle distribution. The video has been deleted, but the screenshots and Utomi's comments have circulated widely, sustaining the public discourse. No further dates or pending decisions related to this specific incident were mentioned in the provided material.