Nigeria’s opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after its national youth leader, Dayo Israel, displayed seven new Toyota Prado SUVs reportedly intended for selected party youth leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
The NDC estimated the vehicles’ combined value at about ₦1.015bn, arguing that the reported expenditure raised questions about political spending at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs.
In a statement published on its official X account on Sunday, the party said a new 2026 Toyota Prado cost an estimated ₦145m, putting the value of the seven vehicles at more than ₦1bn.
The party accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of asking Nigerians to endure economic hardship while political figures continued to enjoy what it described as excessive spending.
“While the rudderless, clueless, and ruinous administration of President Bola Tinubu has been asking Nigerians to endure the pains of its wicked and cruel reforms, this is how taxpayers’ money is being spent,” the NDC said.
It urged Nigerians to vote the ruling party out of office in the 2027 elections, presenting its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as an alternative and promising a reduction in the cost of governance.
Why the vehicles have sparked controversy
The controversy began after Mr Israel shared a video showing the vehicles, saying they had been presented to selected youth leaders to support the party’s election mobilisation activities.
“Today, I presented brand new 2026 Prado to my committed selected youth leaders to aid their election mobilisation activities,” he wrote.
He also thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her continued support for the party’s structure under his leadership.
Mr Israel said the APC would focus on grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election, declaring that the party intended to deliver support “polling unit by polling unit”.
The video drew criticism on social media, with commentators questioning the timing of the vehicle presentation against the backdrop of economic difficulties faced by households and concerns about public services.
Questions over funding
However, the exact purchase price of the vehicles and the source of the funding have not been independently established.
It is also unclear whether the vehicles were purchased with party funds, provided through private donations or acquired through another arrangement.
The NDC’s estimate is based on its stated average price for a new 2026 Toyota Prado and its count of seven vehicles shown in the video.
The controversy has renewed debate over political spending, accountability and the priorities of parties preparing for the 2027 general election.
Neither the estimated value of the vehicles nor the NDC’s criticism, on its own, establishes that public funds were used to acquire them.
The APC and Mr Israel’s response to the NDC’s specific allegations was not included in the reports reviewed for this story.
