Public Interest or Political Strategy? AMPEF President Reacts to First Lady’s Car Gifts to APC Women Leaders

Public Interest or Political Strategy? AMPEF President Reacts to First Lady’s Car Gifts to APC Women Leaders

…Let Tinubu’s Performance Win Votes

By Naomi Onome

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, sparked criticism and renewed public debate over government priorities by donating vehicles to women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in some opposition-controlled states amid the country’s economic challenges.

Reacting to the development, Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, a human rights advocate, President of the Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (AMPEF), and Convener of Voice of the Voiceless Media, questioned the rationale behind the distribution of vehicles at a time many Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment, and declining business fortunes.

According to Iche, the gesture has raised concerns about the source of funding for such donations and whether public officials and their family members should be engaging in high-profile philanthropic activities while millions of Nigerians continue to face economic hardship.

The rights advocate also drew attention to the activities of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, alleging that he has been involved in large-scale donations and charitable interventions across the country. Iche argued for greater transparency regarding the sources of funding for such initiatives.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Iche said, “Businesses are collapsing, children are dropping out of school, insecurity remains a major concern, and many Nigerians are struggling to feed their families. In the midst of all these challenges, political leaders should focus on addressing the people’s immediate needs rather than distributing vehicles.”

He further questioned the timing and purpose of the donations, suggesting that if the gesture was aimed at strengthening political support for the ruling party ahead of future elections, such efforts were unnecessary. According to him, the performance of the Tinubu administration should be sufficient to determine whether Nigerians would support the president for a second term in office.

Iche maintained that public office holders and their associates should be open to public scrutiny, particularly when undertaking expensive projects or donations that attract national attention. He called on relevant anti-corruption and oversight agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in matters involving public officials and politically exposed individuals.

The AMPEF President also urged the Office of the First Lady to provide clarity on the funding sources for the vehicle donations, insisting that Nigerians have a right to ask questions about expenditures involving influential public figures.

The comments come against the backdrop of ongoing economic reforms by the federal government, which have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. While government officials argue that the reforms are necessary to stabilize the economy and attract investment, critics contend that the policies have imposed significant hardship on ordinary citizens.

Observers note that the concerns raised by Comrade Prince Saviour Iche reflect broader public conversations about governance, accountability, transparency, and the prioritization of resources at a time when many Nigerians continue to face economic difficulties.

Efforts to obtain official reactions from the Presidency and the Office of the First Lady regarding the concerns raised were not immediately successful as of the time of filing this report.