First Lady donates 7 Prado SUVs to APC youth leaders, sparking outrage amid hardship
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu donated seven brand new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs to APC youth leaders for 2027 election mobilisation, APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel revealed in a video posted on X Sunday. Israel presented the vehicles parked in a row, thanking the First Lady for "continuous support to the party structure."
Each 2026 Prado is estimated at ₦120 million based on social media reactions, putting the fleet value near ₦840 million. The donation comes as resident doctors and nurses remain unpaid amid strikes, and Nigerians face severe economic hardship from Tinubu administration policies including fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation.
The video triggered widespread outrage on X. Users contrasted the luxury vehicles with collapsing public healthcare: "A government that told us there is no money to pay striking doctors suddenly found money for a convoy of Prados," one post read. Others called the timing "tone deaf" days after President Tinubu blamed the opposition for hunger during a Kaduna campaign rally Saturday.
Critics question whether party mobilisation funds should come from the First Lady's office or public resources. The Presidency has not commented on the source of funding or whether the vehicles were purchased with personal or state funds.
With 2027 elections approaching, will political patronage continue to prioritise party structures over public services, or will public pressure force accountability on resource allocation?