The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an audit of funds released for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft following the fatal crash of an ATR-42 in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The opposition party said the maintenance records and funding of the aircraft involved should be examined as part of the investigation into the October 5 crash, while cautioning against reaching conclusions on the cause of the accident before the official inquiry is completed.
The ADC made the demand in a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, while expressing condolences to the families of those who died in the incident.
According to the party, government figures showed that N4.5 billion had been released by December 2025 for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft, representing about 13 per cent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for the purpose.
The ADC contrasted this with the N20.74 billion it said was allocated for the maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet, claiming that N20.27 billion, or 97.76 per cent, had been released during the same period.
The party argued that the difference warranted closer scrutiny of government spending priorities, particularly regarding equipment used by military personnel operating in high-risk environments.
The ADC said the investigation into the Ondo crash should therefore examine the aircraft’s maintenance history alongside defence procurement processes, maintenance practices, budgetary releases and actual expenditure.
It stressed that its demand was not an argument against maintaining aircraft used by the President, but rather a call for adequate funding and maintenance of military equipment used by personnel serving in national security operations.
The party also urged the government to investigate whether inadequate maintenance funding or other factors played any role in the crash, while allowing the official investigation to establish the actual cause.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 was travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos on a routine mission when it crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The Air Force subsequently activated search and rescue operations.
The number of people aboard the aircraft was initially reported differently by government authorities. The Aviation Ministry initially said 32 people were on board, while subsequent reporting citing the Air Force put the figure at 25, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members. Reuters reported that all 25 people died in the crash.
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President Bola Tinubu ordered a thorough investigation into the crash and later declared three days of national mourning for the Air Force personnel who died.
The Defence Headquarters has also ordered an investigation, while the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau said the military aircraft falls outside its direct statutory mandate unless it is formally invited by the military authorities.
As the investigation proceeds, the ADC maintained that accountability over defence spending and aircraft maintenance should form part of the broader examination of the tragedy, with the aim of identifying any preventable factors and improving the safety of military personnel.