The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to put public interest ahead of political patronage, demanding the recovery and resale of luxury Toyota Prado SUVs reportedly distributed to selected party youth leaders if public funds were used to acquire them.
The group said Nigeria could not afford to prioritise luxury vehicles for political mobilisation while public schools struggled with inadequate facilities and millions of young people lacked access to quality education, vocational training and decent employment opportunities.
HURIWA’s position followed criticism by Professor Pat Utomi, who questioned the reported distribution of the vehicles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Utomi reportedly argued that the money could have been better spent addressing urgent public needs, including the provision of ambulances and improved emergency medical services.
The controversy followed a video shared by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, announcing the vehicles as support for election mobilisation. The video was subsequently deleted.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the development raised serious questions about political priorities and the source of funding for the vehicles.
The association insisted that any vehicle acquired with public money should be recovered and sold through a transparent process, with the proceeds returned to the public treasury.
It proposed that the resources be directed towards renovating and improving Unity Colleges in Abuja, Lagos and Okigwe, arguing that investment in education would deliver more lasting benefits than luxury gifts to political loyalists.
HURIWA also urged the government to expand vocational and technical education, digital skills training, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship programmes to help young Nigerians acquire practical skills and become economically productive.
The group said young people needed opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods, not political gestures that offered little direct benefit to their education, welfare or future.
“Nigeria’s money belongs to Nigerians, not to the ruling party or its officials. Public resources must serve the public interest, not partisan ambitions,” the statement said.
HURIWA cautioned, however, that the source of funding must first be established, noting that the accountability questions would differ depending on whether the vehicles were purchased with party funds or public resources.
It called for transparency over the acquisition and funding of the SUVs, urging the relevant authorities to investigate any evidence of public money being used for partisan purposes.
The association maintained that government spending should be measured by its impact on citizens, particularly at a time when schools, healthcare facilities and other public institutions require urgent attention.
It urged political leaders to demonstrate commitment to young Nigerians by investing in education, skills and opportunities that can improve lives beyond election campaigns.