The African Democratic Congress has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday. The party described the incident as "tragic and unfortunate" and called for an audit of the "non-implementation of defence budgets needed for the regular maintenance of aircraft in service with the Nigerian Air Force." This demand was made by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the ADC, the incident highlights the poor funding of defence budgets in Nigeria. The party stated that the Federal Government had released a paltry N4.5 billion, representing only about 13.98 per cent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft, by December 2025. This contrasts with the N20.74 billion allocated for the maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet, of which N20.27 billion had been released over the same period.
The ADC noted that the safety of the President matters, but what also matters is the safety of the pilots and airmen who put their lives on the line in defence of the country. The party emphasized that patriotism does not replace spare parts, and condolence messages do not take the place of accountability. The party therefore demanded investigations into the cause of the crash and a thorough probe of the maintenance of defence equipment.
The Nigerian Air Force aircraft that crashed in Ondo State was an ATR-42. The incident has raised concerns about the maintenance and funding of the country's military equipment. The ADC's statement suggests that the party is questioning the government's priorities in allocating funds for defence and maintenance.
The ADC's demand for an audit of the defence and maintenance budget is not an isolated call. Many Nigerians have expressed concerns about the government's handling of defence funding and the maintenance of military equipment. The party's statement has sparked a national debate about the need for transparency and accountability in defence spending.
The Federal Government's allocation of funds for defence and maintenance has been criticized for being biased towards the Presidential Air Fleet. The ADC stated that the fleet that serves a handful of people in power got almost every kobo it asked for, while the fleet that serves and protects 200 million Nigerians was left with crumbs. This has raised questions about the government's priorities and the need for a more equitable distribution of resources.
The ADC's call for an audit of the defence and maintenance budget is a timely reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in defence spending. The party's demand for investigations into the cause of the crash and a thorough probe of the maintenance of defence equipment is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that the country's military equipment is properly maintained and that the lives of pilots and airmen are protected.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress demands an audit of Nigeria's defence and maintenance budget following a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
- The party criticizes the government's allocation of funds for defence and maintenance, citing a disparity between the Presidential Air Fleet and the Nigerian Air Force.
- The ADC calls for investigations into the cause of the crash and a thorough probe of the maintenance of defence equipment.
