The Forum of State Youth Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that the party’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, distributed luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to state youth leaders nationwide.

In a disclaimer responding to the reports, the forum said none of its members in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had received any vehicle from Israel.

The leaders described the reports as false and misleading, urging APC members and the public to disregard the claims.

They said they were neither consulted nor informed about any purported vehicle procurement, allocation formula or distribution plan, adding that they learnt of the development through media reports.

The forum also questioned the rationale behind the alleged distribution of luxury vehicles, arguing that Nigerian youths needed practical empowerment initiatives to improve their livelihoods.

It listed business grants, skills acquisition centres, minibuses, motorcycles for local transport, employment opportunities, and support for small businesses as interventions that would better address young people’s needs.

The state youth leaders called on Israel to issue a public explanation of the reports, demanding clarification on the identities of the alleged beneficiaries, why the forum was not informed, the criteria used to select recipients, and whether any vehicles had been distributed.

They also expressed concern over what they described as the unauthorised use of their names and offices to create an impression of empowerment or to justify expenditure without tangible benefits reaching them.

Despite their reservations, the leaders reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, saying their focus remained on mobilising young voters nationwide for President Bola Tinubu and other party candidates in forthcoming elections.

The forum urged the media and the public to treat reports of the alleged vehicle distribution as false until the claims are clarified. (The Nation)