Ageless politician and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has challenged Pres. Bola Tinubu demonstrate his belief in his administration’s newly introduced Nigeria First Policy, by dropping his Cadillac Escalade presidential SUV for an Innoson vehicle manufactured in Nnewi.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Monday (May 5, 2025) approved the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, an initiative of the President aimed at placing Nigerians at the heart of all business and economic activities in the country.
The policy, to be backed by an Executive Order, also de-emphasizes importation while placing priority on the patronage of locally available services and made-in-Nigeria products, including automobiles, provided they have substantial local content.
But, reacting on Wednesday in a statement, Atiku charged Tinubu to practice what he preaches and lead by example by replacing his present armoured Cadillac Escalade with an IVM-badged automobile from Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Nnewi.
Manufactured by General Motors of the United States, the Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV.
If President Tinubu decides to lead by example as advised by opting for a luxury SUV from Innoson, he may not have to look beyond the top-of-the-range IVM G80 which is currently being used by some governors, including Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State.
And, as is the practice in some developed countries, Innoson is likely to be willing to build and armour a special luxury SUV befitting the office of the President of Nigeria.
