Professor Pat Utomi has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the distribution of luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to selected party youth leaders, questioning the government’s spending priorities amid concerns over the welfare of Nigerian soldiers and the country’s economic challenges.
Utomi, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed his displeasure in posts on X on Sunday, contrasting the cost of the vehicles with what he described as the poor salaries earned by Nigerian soldiers.
“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!” Utomi wrote.
In another post, the professor questioned whether the money spent on the vehicles could have been directed towards more pressing public needs, particularly healthcare.
“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!” he added.
Utomi’s comments followed a video shared by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, showing brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs. Israel said the vehicles had been presented to selected youth leaders to support their mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Today, I presented brand new 2026 Prado to my committed selected youth leaders to aid their election mobilisation activities,” Israel wrote in the post.
The APC youth leader also thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for what he described as her continued support for the party’s structure under his leadership.
“The party is supreme and that supremacy will show in our action in this election period — we will deliver polling unit by polling unit,” Israel added.
The video, which has since been deleted, reportedly attracted criticism on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the distribution of expensive vehicles at a time when many citizens are struggling with economic hardship associated with the Tinubu administration’s reforms.
The controversy has renewed debate over political spending, the use of resources for party mobilisation and whether such expenditure reflects the priorities of a country facing significant economic and security challenges.
Utomi’s remarks have added to the criticism, with the NDC chieftain drawing attention to the contrast between the reported cost of the SUVs and the need for better support for soldiers and improved healthcare facilities.
