HURIWA Condemns APC’s Luxury SUVs for Youth Leaders, Demands Recovery, Resale to Fund Unity Colleges

PRESS STATEMENT

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)

HURIWA Condemns APC’s Luxury SUVs for Youth Leaders, Demands Recovery, Resale to Fund Unity Colleges
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemns the reported distribution of brand-new luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to selected youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as a glaring misplacement of priorities amid Nigeria’s economic hardship and the deteriorating condition of critical public institutions.
HURIWA says the reported distribution of 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs, announced by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, raises serious questions about the priorities guiding political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The association questions the wisdom of spending enormous sums on luxury vehicles for selected party loyalists while public schools struggle with inadequate facilities, young Nigerians lack access to quality skills training and security personnel continue to demand improved welfare.
HURIWA says Nigeria’s resources belong to the Nigerian people, not the ruling party, its officials or its political structures. The association insists that government must deploy public funds to address pressing national needs rather than finance partisan interests at the expense of citizens.
The association condemns any attempt to place political patronage above education, youth empowerment, security and essential public services. HURIWA stresses that political parties may organise and mobilise their supporters, but they must not use public resources to advance partisan interests.
HURIWA Demands Surrender, Recovery and Resale of SUVs
HURIWA demands that the APC leadership and the beneficiaries surrender the luxury SUVs for recovery and resale wherever investigations establish that public funds or government resources financed their purchase.
The association calls on relevant authorities to investigate the source of funding for the vehicles, establish accountability and recover any public resources improperly deployed for partisan purposes.
HURIWA urges the authorities to return the proceeds of any recovered vehicles to the public treasury and allocate the money, through lawful budgetary processes, to rehabilitate and maintain Unity Colleges in Abuja, Lagos and Okigwe.
The association says government should prioritise the renovation of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, sanitation facilities and other essential infrastructure in these institutions instead of allowing public schools to deteriorate while political operatives enjoy expensive vehicles.
HURIWA maintains that investing in educational infrastructure would provide lasting benefits to thousands of students and strengthen the country’s human capital.
HURIWA Urges Government to Invest in Youth Skills
HURIWA urges the Federal Government to redirect its attention towards practical programmes that equip young Nigerians with employable skills, technical expertise and entrepreneurial capacity.
The association calls for increased investment in vocational centres, technical education, digital skills, apprenticeships and business-development programmes that enable young people to secure jobs, establish businesses and become economically independent.
HURIWA says genuine youth empowerment should create opportunities for millions of young Nigerians rather than concentrate expensive benefits in the hands of a select group of party leaders.
The association warns that political patronage cannot substitute for employment, quality education or economic opportunity. It urges government to measure youth empowerment by the number of young people trained, employed and supported to build sustainable livelihoods.
HURIWA Insists Nigeria’s Money Belongs to Nigerians
HURIWA demands transparency from the APC and relevant authorities over the funding of the luxury vehicles, particularly whether public funds, government-linked resources or private party contributions financed the purchases.
The association insists that the source of funding must determine the appropriate accountability measures. It says authorities must investigate any credible evidence of public resources being diverted to partisan activities and pursue recovery in accordance with the law.
HURIWA stresses that if the vehicles were purchased exclusively with legitimate private party funds, the APC should clarify the expenditure to address public concerns. However, the association insists that no public money should finance partisan patronage when schools, hospitals, security institutions and other essential services require urgent support.
The association says the controversy highlights the need for government to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and ensure that every public expenditure serves a clearly defined public purpose.
HURIWA states:
“Nigeria’s money belongs to Nigerians, not to the ruling party or its officials. Public resources must serve the public interest, not partisan ambitions.
“We condemn a situation in which political mobilisation appears to receive attention while public schools struggle for maintenance, young Nigerians lack access to practical skills training and security personnel continue to risk their lives in the service of the country.
“We demand a transparent investigation into the funding of these vehicles and insist that any SUVs purchased with public resources must be recovered and disposed of in accordance with the law. The proceeds should return to the public treasury and support urgent educational needs, including the maintenance of Unity Colleges in Abuja, Lagos and Okigwe.
“We urge the Federal Government to invest meaningfully in young Nigerians by expanding vocational training, technical education, entrepreneurship programmes and employment opportunities. Young people deserve the tools to build their futures, not political patronage that benefits only a privileged few.”
HURIWA calls on civil society organisations, education stakeholders, public accountability institutions and concerned Nigerians to demand transparency in government spending and insist that public expenditure reflects the country’s most urgent developmental priorities.
The association reiterates that public office carries a responsibility to serve citizens. HURIWA insists that government must demonstrate that responsibility through investments in education, security, skills development and essential public services rather than expenditure that deepens public concerns about political priorities.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
26 October 2026