2027: Oluremi Tinubu confirms vehicle donation to APC youth leaders

Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has confirmed donating Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to the National Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mrs Tinubu made the disclosure on Sunday during a campaign strategy meeting with regional APC youth leaders led by the party’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, at the State House, Abuja.

The disclosure comes hours after Mr Israel posted a video showing seven brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs, saying he had presented them to selected youth leaders to support their election mobilisation activities.

Mr Israel subsequently deleted the post after it triggered widespread reactions on social media, with Nigerians questioning the reported cost of the vehicles and the use of expensive SUVs for political mobilisation amid economic hardship.

In her remarks at the meeting, Mrs Tinubu said her office would provide campaign materials, footwear and other items to support the APC youth leaders during the campaign.

She also said she had donated additional utility vehicles to facilitate their movement and strengthen their grassroots outreach.

Mrs Tinubu urged the APC youth leaders to intensify their grassroots mobilisation and focus on delivering tangible results rather than social media activities.

She also encouraged them to demonstrate independence, competence and versatility, while developing original ideas and taking initiative in their political activities.

Mrs Tinubu urged the youth leaders to focus on tangible political results rather than social media activity, while encouraging them to develop original ideas, demonstrate competence and take initiative.

She also stressed the need for young leaders to be independent and versatile rather than rely on their parents or others to provide direction.

Not first time

Recall that this is not the first time Mrs Tinubu has donated vehicles for public or institutional use.

Earlier, she donated 50 buses and 30 tricycles to her alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, following complaints about transportation difficulties on the campus.

In a statement announcing receipt of the vehicles, the university said the donation was intended to ease students’ transportation challenges and improve mobility within the institution.

“The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, wishes to inform the University Community, particularly our dear students, of the successful receipt of 50 buses and 30 tricycles graciously donated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON,” the statement said.

The university described the donation as a demonstration of Mrs Tinubu’s commitment to students’ welfare, adding that the vehicles were expected to significantly ease transportation difficulties on campus.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mrs Tinubu’s spokesperson, Busayo Kukoyi, and Mr Isreal to seek the Presidency’s response to the public reactions, including concerns about the cost of the vehicles and the circumstances surrounding the donation, but there was no response as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, speaking after the meeting, Mr Israel later confirmed the donation, expressing gratitude to Mrs Tinubu for providing the vehicles to the APC National Youth Wing.

He said the vehicles would enable the youth leaders to reach rural communities, particularly areas with difficult terrain in the South-east and South-west, as the party intensifies its grassroots mobilisation.

“The primary objective is to communicate the administration’s achievements in healthcare, education and welfare, particularly interventions such as the student loan programme and the establishment of primary healthcare centres,” he said.

Mr Israel said he would embark on a nationwide mobilisation tour to promote the administration’s programmes and seek support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.

He said the tour would take the administration’s message to rural communities and highlight government interventions in healthcare, education and welfare.

The APC youth leader also called for greater coordination among groups supporting Mr Tinubu’s re-election, saying all such groups should operate under the official party structure.

“All APC groups must align with the official party structure.

“All support groups, including PBAT, Door to Door, City Boy and Tinubu Again, are expected to work directly with the APC,” he said.

The meeting was part of preparations by the APC youth wing for its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.