The presentation of brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado vehicles to selected youth leaders by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, has drawn criticism amid preparations for the 2027 general election.
Israel announced the distribution in a post on X on Sunday, saying the vehicles were intended to support the beneficiaries’ election mobilisation activities.
A video accompanying the post showed seven vehicles on display.
He also thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her continued support for the party’s structure under his leadership, expressing confidence in the APC’s ability to mobilise support ahead of the election.
Reacting to the development, an X user, @Unkleayo, criticised the distribution, questioning the cost of the vehicles and describing the move as an inappropriate use of the country’s resources.
“This is what you bastards are doing with our commonwealth.
“So this is what the Mummy’s Boys are receiving for “election mobilization”.
“120M naira each? Or am I crazy. What kind of republic is this. What tonedeaf effrontery is this? Jesus Christ.”
Another user, @thoughtsmini2, suggested the distribution could undermine the message of sacrifice associated with the government’s economic reforms.
“They will drive this to tell the youth to endure the pain of reforms.”
Similarly, @Adewolessamuel accused Israel and the First Lady of being disconnected from the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
“Out of touch with reality, tone deaf to the cry of the masses. You and your mummy, that’s who you are.”
Another X user, @Victormanju, questioned the value of the vehicles in relation to Israel’s position in the party.
“For context, this is just an ordinary youth leader .
“And each of these vehicles costs roughly N118 million ‼️”
Also reacting, @engr_Shaibu argued that the money spent on the vehicles could have been directed towards supporting small businesses and families struggling with rising living costs.
“A brand-new 2026 Prado costs several millions of naira.
“That money could fund multiple small businesses or months of food for struggling families.
“Instead, APC is handing the vehicles out to selected youth leaders for election mobilisation. Priorities of APC 😭😭😭”
Israel’s announcement comes a day after Mrs Tinubu called attention to what she described as progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, suggesting that Nigerians who failed to acknowledge the changes needed what she called “Bola Tinubu eyeglasses”.
The First Lady made the remark on Friday during the inauguration of the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a grassroots organisation campaigning for the president’s re-election in 2027.
She cited developments at Nigerian airports as evidence of progress, expressing hope that improvements would make air travel more convenient.
Mrs Tinubu also referenced Jigi-Bola, an eye-care initiative introduced by her husband in 2001 when he was governor of Lagos State. The programme provided services including free eye screening, eyeglasses and surgery before its relaunch by the Lagos State Government in 2021.
At the inauguration, the First Lady expressed her desire to leave the Presidential Villa in 2031 and enter a country where she could enjoy a better quality of life in her 70s.
She also commissioned the movement’s Abuja headquarters and declared her support for President Tinubu’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027.
