2027: Outrage from opposition as Tinubu’s Govt allegedly distributes vehicles to RHA, calls it early campaign
2027: Outrage from opposition as Tinubu’s Govt allegedly distributes vehicles to RHA, calls it early campaign
Opposition parties and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have rebuked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the distribution of vehicles to state coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), describing the initiative as an early campaign effort disguised as a public engagement programme.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Obi argued that the development suggested the president was prioritising his 2027 re-election ambition over the demands of governance.
They insisted that, despite the cautious language used to define the RHA’s mandate, the initiative amounted to a covert political structure. The vehicles, they said, were ultimately campaign tools deployed long before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) permits political activities.
They accused the presidency of showing disregard for citizens’ welfare and violating “a flagrant disregard of the Electoral Act,” which bars campaigning outside INEC’s timetable.
Concerns about premature political mobilisation are not new. Earlier in the year, key organs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) openly endorsed President Tinubu as its 2027 candidate, a move widely criticised as insensitive. Campaign posters bearing Tinubu’s image also appeared across Abuja for months despite official denials and calls for their removal.
The controversy escalated again following the appointment of state and zonal coordinators for the RHA and the distribution of branded vehicles. On November 25, Tinubu named Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Renewed Hope Ambassador, instructing him to focus on “evangelising the Tinubu administration’s programmes.”
“In his role as ambassador, he will double as the Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilisation,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said.
Uzodimma went on to appoint zonal coordinators, including former governors Dr Ifeanyi Okowa (South-South), Isa Yuguda (North-East), Aminu Masari (North-West), Anyim Pius Anyim (South-East), Oladipupo Oyinbande (South-West), and Umar Tanko Al-Makura (North-Central. The appointments were unveiled during the inauguration of RHA committees nationwide.
Soon after, images circulated online showing the distribution of Toyota Hiace Hummer buses, Land Cruiser SUVs, and Hilux trucks branded with the president’s colours and images. This triggered public criticism and renewed allegations of premature campaigning.
Daily Trust contacted Uzodimma’s office for clarification, but his Information Commissioner, Chief Declan Emelumba, referred inquiries to the presidency. Efforts to reach presidential aides Bayo Onanuga and Daniel Bwala were unsuccessful.
The APC, however, rejected accusations of early campaigning, insisting the vehicles were unrelated to the 2027 race and that the RHA’s role was purely promotional regarding government programmes.
But the opposition dismissed the explanation. The ADC, in a strongly worded statement, condemned what it described as an attempt to begin a re-election drive during a national security emergency, calling the move “a cynically insensitive action that makes nonsense of the emergency declaration itself.”
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, criticised the administration for distributing “vehicles to campaign agents across the country even as kidnapped citizens languish in captivity and security forces struggle to contain escalating violence and banditry.”
The ADC said the president was “launching his re-election campaign under the guise of Renewed Hope Ambassadors,” accusing him of behaving more like a candidate than a leader confronting nationwide insecurity. The party insisted the move breached electoral laws and contradicted the seriousness of an emergency declaration.
It added that the president’s actions showed that “the president’s declaration of security emergency was a mere gimmick to grab headlines” and argued that early campaign activities proved politics had taken priority over the country’s worsening security situation.
The statement further condemned the “obscene distribution of campaign vehicles” at a time when children remain in captivity and citizens fear for their lives, saying the president must choose between “governance and campaigning.”
Peter Obi offered a similar critique, warning that the decision to procure luxury vehicles—such as Hilux trucks and Hummer buses—amid widespread hardship amounted to a profound moral failure. He argued that leadership should not treat citizens’ suffering as the backdrop to political positioning, calling the situation “a tragic misplacement of priorities that is completely unacceptable.”
He noted that while Nigerians face hunger, school dropouts, deteriorating healthcare, and relentless insecurity, leaders should be directing resources to critical social needs instead of “brand-new Land Cruisers, Hilux and Hummers.”
Obi described the government’s actions as particularly troubling at a time when many families cannot afford school fees, mothers die from lack of medical supplies, and entire communities are under attack.
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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