The presidential campaign of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Adewole Adebayo, and his running mate, Usman Bugaje, has suspended all campaign activities for one week following the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The suspension was announced on Wednesday by the campaign’s Head of Media and Communications Directorate, Mark Adebayo, who said the decision was taken in honour of those who died in the October 5 crash.
According to the campaign, all scheduled rallies, town-hall meetings, stakeholder engagements and media appearances have been deferred until the mourning period ends.
The campaign said the decision was intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces and the families of the victims.
“The Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign is deeply devastated by the heartbreaking news of the NAF aircraft accident,” the statement said, adding that politics should take a back seat during a period of national mourning.
Adebayo and Bugaje also expressed condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force and the families of those who died.
The campaign further called for comprehensive insurance coverage for personnel of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, as well as regular and proper maintenance of military equipment to reduce the risk of future accidents.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State on Monday while reportedly on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos. The crash prompted a national mourning period and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The SDP campaign said its political activities would resume after the one-week suspension.
