​Public backlash erupted across social media following the presentation of seven brand-new 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs to selected party youth leaders by Dayo Israel, the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
​The controversy unfolded on Sunday evening, October 25, 2026, when Mr. Israel published a video clip on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The footage showed a fleet of seven luxury SUVs lined up for handover to key youth mobilisers to bolster grassroots campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his accompanying statement, Mr. Israel expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, acknowledging her continuous backing of the party’s youth wing under his stewardship.
He stated that the vehicles were provided to aid election mobilization, emphasizing that party supremacy would be reflected in polling unit delivery across the country.
​Roughly three hours after uploading the video, Mr. Israel deleted the post amid mounting public criticism. However, screen recordings and screenshots had already spread widely across digital platforms, igniting intense debates over political spending and government messaging during ongoing economic reforms.
Critics pointed out that the combined value of the vehicles exceeded ₦1.5 billion, while noting that the post failed to clarify whether the procurement was funded through official party coffers, private donations, or state-backed resources.
​The display sparked swift condemnation from prominent commentators, party insiders, and public figures across social media.
​Dr. DÃpò AwójÃdé, a UK-based academic and career coach, publicly chided Mr. Israel, arguing that demonstrating such opulence while millions of citizens make financial sacrifices under economic reforms was counterproductive, and urged him to seek advisors who would offer candid guidance.
​A social media commentator posting under the handle @HarmlessHQ described Mr. Israel as a “weapon fashioned against the APC,” highlighting the sharp contrast between President Bola Tinubu’s call for public endurance in Kaduna a day prior and the casual distribution of high-end utility vehicles.
​Similarly, political analyst Prince Adeshina echoed those sentiments, asserting that the Youth Leader’s actions undermined both the ruling party and the administration’s public posture.
​From the opposition perspective, political commentator Everest contrasted the spending with opposition standards, arguing that such expenditure of resources under the current administration demonstrated a lack of fiscal discipline.
Other social media users questioned the allocation of funds, arguing that the resources spent on the luxury fleet could have instead funded critical public infrastructure, healthcare facilities, or educational projects.
​As of Monday morning, October 26, 2026, neither the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress nor the Office of the First Lady has issued an official statement regarding the funding sources or the operational status of the vehicles.
