High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has directed the immediate suspension of all 2027 presidential campaign activities by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement for one week following the fatal Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The crash involved an ATR-42 military aircraft, NAF 931, which went down near a naval facility in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, claiming the lives of military personnel and other passengers.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Sunday Asuku, disclosed the suspension in a statement sent to The PUNCH, saying Tompolo received news of the tragedy with profound shock and sorrow.
Asuku said the movement’s grand patron described the incident as “a painful and monumental loss to our Armed Forces and to the nation at large.”
He added that the personnel who died in the crash had paid the ultimate price in the line of duty while serving the country with courage, patriotism and commitment.
The movement also extended its condolences to President Tinubu, who declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy, as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces, the government and people of Ondo State, and the families and colleagues of the deceased.
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“We join Mr President, who has already mourned this incident, in stating that the sacrifice of our Air Force and Naval personnel who put their lives on the line daily to secure Nigeria will never be forgotten,” the statement said.
The group commended the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy, emergency responders and residents who participated in search-and-rescue efforts despite the difficult terrain around the crash site.
It also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and asked God to grant their families the strength to endure the loss.
The movement called on military authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
The one-week suspension pauses the movement’s nationwide mobilisation activities in support of Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027. The group had recently commenced grassroots outreach programmes and vehicle distribution initiatives across several states.
The suspension comes amid national mourning over the aircraft disaster, as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and address concerns over aviation safety and the loss of military personnel and passengers.