Political economist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Pat Utomi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for distributing luxurious game software automobiles (SUVs) to chose early life leaders forward of the 2027 normal elections.
Utomi puzzled the celebration’s resolution to distribute the automobiles amid financial hardship and considerations about Nigerian squaddies’ salaries, arguing that the finances may have been channelled into extra urgent nationwide wishes.
In a submit on X on Sunday, the professor faulted the distinction between the pricy automobiles and what he described because the deficient remuneration of army staff.
“Nigerian squaddies are being paid peanuts as salaries, but an APC early life chief is flaunting SUVs price billions of naira. This is identical govt that instructed Nigerians there was once not cash within the treasury. At this level, they should assume we’re fools!” he wrote.
In a separate submit, Utomi puzzled the price of the automobiles, suggesting that the cash spent on them may have been used to strengthen emergency healthcare products and services.
“Every of the SUVs on this video prices greater than ₦100 million. I’m wondering what number of world-class ambulances the thousands and thousands being spent on those automobiles may purchase. What a pity!” he added.
The complaint adopted a video shared through APC Nationwide Early life Chief, Dayo Israel, appearing brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs he mentioned had been offered to chose early life leaders to make stronger their mobilisation actions forward of the 2027 elections.
Within the accompanying submit, Israel mentioned the automobiles got to early life leaders in reputation in their dedication to the celebration’s actions.
“As of late, I offered a brand-new 2026 Prado to my dedicated decided on early life leaders to help their election mobilisation actions,” He wrote.
Israel additionally expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s First Woman, Oluremi Tinubu, for what he described as her persevered make stronger for the APC construction below his management.
“The celebration is splendid, and that supremacy will display in our motion on this election duration — we will be able to ship polling unit through polling unit,” he added.
The video, which has since been deleted, sparked complaint on social media, with some Nigerians wondering the timing of the distribution in opposition to the backdrop of emerging dwelling prices and the commercial reforms presented through President Bola Tinubu’s management.
The debate has additionally drawn consideration to questions on political spending, the welfare of army staff and the allocation of public sources as political events get ready for the 2027 normal elections.
Utomi’s remarks have positioned automobile distribution on the centre of a much wider debate over political events’ priorities and the competing calls for for sources in a rustic grappling with financial pressures and safety demanding situations.
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