Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to selected youth leaders, questioning the expenditure amid concerns about the salaries of Nigerian soldiers and the country’s economic challenges.
Naija News reports that Utomi’s reaction followed a video shared online by the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, showing brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs reportedly presented to selected youth leaders to support election mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post on his account, Israel expressed confidence that the beneficiaries would help the ruling party strengthen its mobilisation efforts and secure electoral victories at the polling-unit level.
He wrote, “Today, I presented brand new 2026 Prado to my committed selected youth leaders to aid their election mobilisation activities.
“The party is supreme and that supremacy will show in our action in this election period, we will deliver polling unit by polling unit.”
The video subsequently attracted criticism from Nigerians who questioned the timing of the vehicle distribution amid economic hardship and the effects of the economic reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Israel later deleted the video from his social media page following the online backlash.
Utomi Questions APC’s Spending Priorities
Reacting in a post shared on , Utomi, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed concern over the reported cost of the vehicles, arguing that the expenditure raised questions about the government’s financial priorities.
The political economist contrasted the reported spending on the luxury SUVs with the salaries paid to Nigerian soldiers, who serve in challenging conditions to protect the country.
He also argued that the money could have been directed towards critical public services, particularly healthcare, where additional funding could support the purchase of modern ambulances.
Utomi wrote, “Nigerian soldiers are being paid peanuts as salaries, yet an APC youth leader is flaunting SUVs worth billions of naira. This is the same government that told Nigerians there was no longer money in the treasury. At this point, they must think we are fools!
“Each of the SUVs in this video costs more than ₦100 million. I wonder how many world-class ambulances the millions being spent on these vehicles could buy. What a pity!”
APC Youth Leaders’ SUVs Spark Public Debate
The controversy has reignited discussions about political spending, public accountability and the priorities of political parties as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
While Israel described the vehicles as support for election mobilisation activities, critics have questioned whether such expensive allocations are appropriate at a time when many Nigerians continue to face rising living costs and financial pressures.
Utomi’s comments have particularly drawn attention to the contrast between the reported cost of the vehicles and the need for improved welfare for military personnel and investment in essential public services.
The episode also highlights the growing scrutiny political leaders face over their spending decisions and public displays of wealth, especially during periods of economic difficulty.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the debate over the APC’s distribution of luxury SUVs is likely to keep questions about political expenditure, electoral mobilisation and government accountability in the public conversation.