Atiku’s Aide Challenges APC Over Distribution of Seven Toyota Prado SUVs to Youth Leaders

Paul Ibe, media aide to African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to explain the funding of seven brand-new Toyota Prado SUVs reportedly distributed to selected youth leaders for election mobilisation.

Ibe raised the concerns in a post on X following a disclosure by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, who announced the distribution of the vehicles and thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her support.

Israel said the SUVs would support election mobilisation efforts, adding that the ruling party was determined to “deliver polling unit by polling unit.”

Reacting to the development, Ibe demanded that the First Lady, Israel and the APC disclose who paid for the vehicles, the source of the funds and the identities of the beneficiaries.

He also questioned whether public funds or government assets were used in acquiring and distributing the SUVs.

Ibe called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the funding arrangements and establish whether they comply with applicable campaign-finance laws.

“The Nigerian treasury is not the APC’s campaign purse, and the Presidency must not become the ruling party’s election-financing machinery,” he said.

The ADC chieftain further argued that deleting the social media post announcing the distribution would not end the demand for transparency.

“Deleting the post cannot delete the demand for accountability,” Ibe added.

As of the time of this report, the statement provided no response from the APC, the First Lady or Dayo Israel to Ibe’s demands for clarification.