By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Many Nigerians have criticized All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader Dayo Israel after he shared a video showing seven new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs presented to selected youth leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections. Israel posted the video on X on Sunday, describing the vehicles as support for election mobilization, but deleted the post about three hours later following widespread criticism over the display amid Nigeria’s economic hardship.
Dayo Israel Presents Seven Prado SUVs to APC Youth Leaders
Israel announced the presentation in a post on his X account, explaining that the vehicles would support selected youth leaders in their mobilization activities.
“Today, I presented brand new 2026 Prado to my committed selected youth leaders to aid their election mobilization activities,” he wrote.
He also thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her “continuous support to the party 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,” he added.
However, the announcement quickly attracted criticism from Nigerians who questioned the cost of the vehicles and the decision to provide them during widespread economic difficulties.
Nigerians Question Spending Amid Economic Hardship
Several users on X criticized the presentation, arguing that the vehicles highlighted the gap between political activities and the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
One user, @ogundamisi, described the development as evidence of a growing disconnect between political leaders and citizens facing economic hardship.
“For context, @dayoisrael is the youth leader of Nigeria’s ruling APC, the same party whose president, Tinubu, is asking Nigerians to endure more suffering,” the user wrote.
The user also questioned the display of expensive vehicles while many Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities.
Similarly, @ayshaHamman questioned how the money spent on the seven SUVs could have supported public healthcare.
The user asked how many primary healthcare centers the expenditure could have established.
However, Israel’s post did not disclose the actual purchase price of the vehicles or their funding source.
Critics Compare Vehicle Presentation With Healthcare Needs
Other users raised concerns about the allocation of resources amid pressure on public institutions and healthcare workers.
One X user, @iamchibuzoree, questioned the contrast between the vehicles and the financial difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.
The user cited concerns about the government’s ability to meet some demands from health workers while citizens struggle with rising living costs.
Another user argued that the money could have supported healthcare services, food assistance and student loans.
The user estimated that the seven vehicles could cost more than ₦1 billion. However, the post did not provide evidence confirming that estimate.
Meanwhile, @ukocarter also criticized the development against the backdrop of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Social Media Users Reference Tinubu’s Economic Remarks
The controversy also prompted comparisons between the vehicle presentation and President Bola Tinubu’s comments on the country’s economic situation.
In a post, @harmlessHQ referred to Tinubu’s remarks in Kaduna and criticized the reported distribution of the SUVs.
“Yesterday in Kaduna, Tinubu was blaming the opposition for the hunger and hardship in the country. Today, Dayo Israel, APC youth leader is casually dashing out 2026 Prado SUV to his fellow youth leaders,” the user wrote.
The reaction reflected broader questions raised online about political spending and the government’s response to economic hardship.
Another user questioned how a government that cited financial constraints in meeting some demands from striking health workers could support such an expensive political initiative.
The user argued that the resources could instead address pressing social needs.
Dayo Israel Deletes Controversial Post
Israel deleted the video approximately three hours after publishing it on X.
Nevertheless, the deletion did not end the controversy, as screenshots and recordings of the presentation continued circulating online.
The incident has renewed public debate about political mobilization spending, transparency and the priorities of political organizations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Neither the actual cost of the seven SUVs nor the source of funding was disclosed in the post provided.
