The Forum of State Youth Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the party’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, to clarify the identities of the alleged beneficiaries of the luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) reportedly distributed to selected youth leaders.
In a statement, the forum said none of its members in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had received any vehicle from Israel.
The youth leaders described reports of the SUV distribution as false and misleading, urging APC members and the public to disregard the claims.
The forum, however, called on Israel to issue a public explanation on the development and why the forum was not informed.
The youth leaders 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.
They also questioned the rationale behind the alleged distribution of luxury vehicles, arguing that Nigerian youths needed practical empowerment initiatives to improve their livelihoods.
They 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 youth leaders urged Israel to clarify the identities of the beneficiaries, why the forum was sidelined, the selection criteria, and whether any vehicles were actually 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.
