ADC: Demands NAF Aircraft Maintenance N4.5bn Audit After Ondo Crash

• The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded an audit of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft maintenance funds following the recent ATR-42 crash in Ondo State.
• The opposition party highlighted a significant funding disparity, noting only N4.5 billion (13%) of the NAF's N34.71 billion maintenance budget was released, compared to N20.27 billion (97.76%) for the Presidential Air Fleet.
• The ADC urged that the crash investigation include a thorough review of maintenance records, defence procurement practices, and actual expenditure to ensure accountability.
• The party emphasized that while presidential safety is important, the safety of military personnel operating under dangerous conditions also requires properly maintained equipment.
• The NAF-operated ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday in Igbokoda, Ondo State, during a routine mission from Benin to Lagos, with its cause still under investigation.

The party believes that robust oversight and transparent financial practices are critical for protecting military personnel and upholding national security operations, signaling increased scrutiny on defence procurement and maintenance contracts in Nigeria.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a prominent opposition party, has publicly called for a comprehensive audit of funds allocated for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft. This demand follows the tragic crash of an ATR-42 aircraft on Monday in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which was operated by the NAF. The incident, which occurred during a routine mission from Benin, Edo State, to Lagos, has prompted an urgent re-evaluation of defence spending and maintenance protocols.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC extended its condolences to the families affected by the crash. While acknowledging that investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing, the party stressed that this unfortunate event provides a critical opportunity to address long-standing concerns regarding the funding and upkeep of military equipment. The ADC specifically urged that the maintenance history of the crashed aircraft, along with other defence assets, be thoroughly examined as part of the official inquiry.

The cause of the ATR-42 crash had not been determined as of Tuesday, with authorities expected to conduct a formal investigation. However, the ADC emphasized that while the investigation should proceed unimpeded, it must also incorporate a detailed review of budgetary releases and actual expenditures related to NAF aircraft maintenance. This push for accountability aims not only to understand the circumstances of the Ondo crash but also to prevent future incidents and safeguard the lives of military personnel.

A central point of contention raised by the African Democratic Congress is the stark contrast in maintenance funding between the Nigerian Air Force fleet and the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). According to official figures cited by the ADC, as of December 2025, only N4.5 billion had been released for the maintenance of NAF aircraft. This amount represents approximately 13 percent of the N34.71 billion initially budgeted for the NAF's maintenance needs.

In sharp contrast, the Presidential Air Fleet, which serves a limited number of high-ranking officials, saw N20.74 billion allocated for its maintenance during the same period. Of this allocation, a substantial N20.27 billion, or 97.76 percent, was actually released. The ADC characterized this disparity as significant, questioning the government's funding priorities when the fleet responsible for national security receives a fraction of its required maintenance budget compared to the fleet serving political leadership.

The opposition party articulated its concern by stating that while the fleet serving a select few in power received nearly its entire requested budget, the fleet tasked with protecting the nation's 200 million citizens was left with minimal resources. This imbalance, the ADC argues, underscores a systemic issue of non-implementation of the defence budget and a persistent neglect of vital military equipment, which should be investigated alongside other potential factors contributing to the recent crash.

The African Democratic Congress has made it clear that its concerns extend beyond merely questioning the necessity of maintaining the President's aircraft. Instead, the party's primary focus is on ensuring that military personnel, who operate under potentially hazardous conditions, are equipped with properly maintained assets. The ADC underscored that while the safety of the President is paramount, the safety of the pilots and airmen who risk their lives in national defence is equally crucial.

In its statement, the ADC asserted that patriotism alone cannot compensate for a lack of spare parts, nor can condolence messages substitute for genuine accountability. The party urged the government to ensure that the ongoing investigation into the Ondo crash comprehensively examines not only the aircraft's maintenance records but also broader defence procurement and maintenance practices. Furthermore, it demanded a thorough review of budgetary releases and actual expenditures for NAF aircraft, specifically calling for an audit of these financial aspects.

This push for accountability in defence spending is deemed essential by the ADC, not only to ascertain the precise causes of the Ondo crash but also to establish measures that prevent similar incidents in the future. The party believes that robust oversight and transparent financial practices are critical for protecting military personnel and upholding national security operations, signaling increased scrutiny on defence procurement and maintenance contracts in Nigeria.

This development signals increased political and public scrutiny on defence procurement and maintenance contracts in Nigeria. Lawyers advising government agencies or defence contractors should anticipate potential audits and investigations into budget allocation and expenditure, highlighting compliance risks related to transparency and accountability in public spending.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper