NAF aircraft crash: ADC demands audit of defence maintenance budget

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, while raising questions about funding for the maintenance of aircraft in the Nigerian Air Force fleet.

Reacting on Tuesday in Abuja through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party commiserated with the families of the victims.

Describing the incident as tragic and unfortunate, the party said it underscored the need for adequate funding for defence maintenance.

“While we do not intend to prejudice ongoing investigations into the cause of this tragic crash, we believe that this sad moment also provides an opportunity to raise, yet again, questions about the implementation of the defence budget and the maintenance of military equipment,” the party said.

Citing official figures, the party said that by December 2025, the Federal Government had released N4.5 billion, representing about 13.98 per cent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft.

The party contrasted this with N20.74 billion allocated for the maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet, of which N20.27 billion had been released within the same period, representing 97.76 per cent.

The ADC said the disparity raised concerns about the prioritisation of maintenance funding.

“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 stated.

The party called for a thorough investigation into the crash, including an examination of maintenance records for defence equipment, particularly the Nigerian Air Force fleet, and an audit of maintenance expenditure and budgetary releases.