The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed sadness over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday in Abuja, commiserated with the families of the victims of the crash.

It raised questions about the non-implementation of defence budgets needed for the regular maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft.

Describing the incident as tragic and unfortunate, ADC stated that it highlighted the poor funding of defence budgets in the country.

“We do not intend to prejudice ongoing investigations into the cause of this tragic crash.

“But we believe that this sad moment also provides an opportunity to raise, yet again, questions about the non-implementation of the defence budget and the perennial neglect of military equipment,” the party said.

It alleged that while the fleet serving a handful of people got almost every kobo it asked for, the fleet that served 200 million Nigerians was left with crumbs.

“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,” it said.

The party, therefore, demanded that investigations into the cause of the crash should also examine the maintenance of defence equipment, especially the Nigerian Air Force fleet, including an audit of maintenance expenditure and budgetary releases

(NAN)