“You Think Too Much of Yourself,” Oshiomhole Slams APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel
Former Edo State Governor and APC chieftain, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has taken a swipe at the party’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, accusing him of thinking too much of himself because of the position he occupies.
Speaking in an interview monitored by Headlineswave on Arise TV, on Monday, Oshiomhole advised Israel to concentrate on his ward and community and ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins there in the 2027 general elections.
Oshiomhole argued that occupying the position of APC National Youth Leader does not automatically make Israel responsible for mobilising youths in every ward or community across the country.
He pointedly observed that Israel’s national position does not mean he would be the person mobilising young people in his own area or community, stressing the importance of grassroots political structures and local mobilisation.
The former governor also dismissed the tendency among politicians to parade political titles, insisting that having titles or occupying prominent party positions does not necessarily translate into electoral victories.
According to Oshiomhole, being a member of the Presidential Campaign Council is nothing extraordinary, as every APC member has the right and responsibility to campaign for the party and its candidates.
He further reminded Israel that he was not the first person to occupy the office of National Youth Leader, suggesting that he should demonstrate his leadership through tangible political engagement rather than making excessive noise about his position.
The Prado SUV Controversy
Oshiomhole’s criticism comes shortly after Dayo Israel attracted widespread public attention following his announcement that he had presented brand-new 2026 Toyota Prado SUVs to selected APC youth leaders to support their election mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Israel had also publicly acknowledged the support of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for the party’s youth structure.
The announcement, accompanied by a video showing seven vehicles, generated considerable public debate, particularly over the timing of the luxury vehicle presentation amid Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
The controversy also raised questions about the source of funding for the vehicles. Israel subsequently told the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) that the vehicles were gifts from donors and not purchased with government allocations or taxpayers’ money.
The development placed the APC National Youth Leader in the public spotlight, attracting both criticism and support from within and outside the ruling party.
Oshiomhole’s latest remarks have therefore added another dimension to the ongoing conversation about political titles, leadership responsibilities and the importance of grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Oshiomhole’s remarks were monitored by Headlineswave on Arise TV. The Prado SUV controversy is drawn from publicly reported statements and subsequent media coverage.
The criticisms and political arguments in this report are attributed to their respective speakers.
