The National Patriots rejects the misleading conclusion behind the circulating “Prados for politicians, keke for soldiers” comparison.
The video does not prove that soldiers are being equipped with tricycles instead of proper military vehicles. Neither does it establish that campaign vehicle donations diverted defence funding.
Nigeria’s Army has commissioned patrol, tactical and mine-resistant vehicles. Circulating footage of armed tricycles does not erase those acquisitions or establish that these machines are replacing protected military platforms.
There is also no verified military confirmation in the reports reviewed that these tricycles have been acquired or deployed against Boko Haram. Even if acquired for soldiers’ routine movement or support duties, they could provide useful additional mobility. Such an acquisition would not, by itself, mean that tricycles are replacing protected combat vehicles or being supplied as frontline equipment against terrorists.
The campaign vehicles are a separate matter. Seven Toyota Prado SUVs were publicised for APC youth mobilisation. Oluremi Tinubu confirmed donating vehicles, and Dayo Israel stated that the seven SUVs came from donors rather than government allocations. Anyone alleging diversion of public funds must present evidence.
Soldiers’ equipment and welfare deserve serious scrutiny. But placing two videos side by side does not establish a connection between their funding or prove that political mobilisation has displaced military procurement.
Our soldiers deserve proper protection. Nigerians deserve facts. Neither cause is served by an unsupported narrative.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR
President, National Patriots
Member, APC-PCC Strategic Communications Team 2027
