2027: Oluremi Tinubu Confirms Donation of SUVs to APC Youth Leaders Amid Backlash
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has confirmed donating utility vehicles to youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support the party’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The First Lady made the disclosure on Sunday during a campaign strategy meeting with regional APC youth leaders led by the party’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, at the State House in Abuja.
The confirmation followed public criticism of a video shared by Israel showing seven brand-new 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado sports utility vehicles (SUVs) presented to selected youth leaders for election mobilisation.
Israel had announced the presentation on his social media account, thanking the First Lady for her continued support for the party’s youth structure. He subsequently deleted the post after it generated widespread reactions online.
According to reports, Mrs Tinubu also pledged to provide campaign materials, footwear and other items to support the youth leaders during the electioneering period. She urged them to strengthen their grassroots engagement and concentrate on tangible political results rather than social media activities.
The First Lady further encouraged the youth leaders to demonstrate independence, competence and versatility, while developing original ideas and taking initiative in their political activities.
Speaking after the meeting, Israel expressed appreciation to Mrs Tinubu, saying the vehicles would help youth leaders reach rural communities, including areas with difficult terrain, as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
He said the mobilisation exercise would focus on communicating the administration’s programmes and achievements in healthcare, education and social welfare, including the student loan scheme and the establishment of primary healthcare centres.
However, the vehicle donation has sparked debate over political spending priorities amid the economic difficulties confronting many Nigerians. Critics have questioned the cost of the SUVs and whether the resources could have been directed towards addressing pressing needs in healthcare, education and social welfare.
The exact purchase price of the vehicles and the source of funding have not been publicly disclosed in the reports. PREMIUM TIMES also reported that attempts to obtain further clarification from the First Lady’s spokesperson and Israel had not received a response at the time of publication.
The controversy comes as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the APC youth wing planning nationwide grassroots mobilisation in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
