By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported distribution of brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs to selected youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), demanding their recovery and resale if investigations establish that public funds were used to purchase them.

The association, In a statement issued on October 26, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, described the reported distribution as a misplacement of priorities amid economic hardship and the deteriorating condition of public institutions.

The controversy followed an announcement by APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, concerning the distribution of the luxury vehicles to selected party youth leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

HURIWA questioned the rationale behind the reported expenditure, arguing that public schools were struggling with inadequate facilities, many young Nigerians lacked access to quality skills training, and security personnel continued to demand improved welfare.

The association maintained that political mobilisation should not take precedence over education, youth empowerment, security and other essential public services.

“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 statement said.

Demands investigation, recovery of vehicles

HURIWA called on the APC leadership and beneficiaries of the vehicles to surrender them for recovery and resale wherever investigations establish that public funds or government resources financed their purchase.

It also urged relevant authorities to investigate the source of funding, establish accountability and recover any public resources improperly deployed for partisan purposes.

The association proposed that proceeds from any recovered vehicles should be returned to the public treasury and allocated, through lawful budgetary processes, to the rehabilitation and maintenance of Unity Colleges in Abuja, Lagos and Okigwe.

It said the funds should support the renovation of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, sanitation facilities and other essential infrastructure.

In a strongly worded appeal, the association said: “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.”

Calls for investment in youth skills

Beyond the vehicle controversy, HURIWA urged the Federal Government to increase investment in programmes that equip young Nigerians with employable skills, technical expertise and entrepreneurial capacity.

It called for greater support for vocational centres, technical education, digital skills, apprenticeships and business-development programmes to help young people secure employment, establish businesses and become economically independent.

The association argued that genuine youth empowerment should create opportunities for millions of Nigerians rather than concentrate expensive benefits in the hands of a select group of party leaders.

“Young people deserve the tools to build their futures, not political patronage that benefits only a privileged few,” HURIWA stated.

It added that government should measure youth empowerment by the number of people trained, employed and supported to build sustainable livelihoods.

Seeks transparency over funding

The association further demanded transparency from the APC and relevant authorities over whether the vehicles were purchased with public funds, government-linked resources or private party contributions.

It said the source of funding should determine the appropriate accountability measures, maintaining that credible evidence of public resources being used for partisan activities should trigger investigation and lawful recovery.

However, HURIWA acknowledged that if the vehicles were purchased exclusively with legitimate private party funds, the APC should clarify the expenditure to address public concerns.

The group maintained that no public money should be used for partisan patronage when schools, hospitals, security institutions and other essential services require urgent support.

“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 association declared.

HURIWA also called on civil society organisations, education stakeholders, public accountability institutions and concerned Nigerians to demand transparency in government spending.

It reiterated that public office carries a responsibility to serve citizens, insisting that government expenditure should reflect the country’s most urgent developmental priorities, including education, security, skills development and essential public services.