by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement 2027 has suspended all its scheduled activities across the country indefinitely, following the death of Nigerian Air Force personnel in an aircraft crash in Ondo State.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, in a statement issued to journalists on Wednesday said that the Grand Patron of the movement, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popular known as “Tompolo,” has directed that the decision be taken in solidarity with the Federal Government, the Nigerian Air Force, families of the deceased and Nigerians mourning the tragic incident.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed on Monday near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, while on a routine mission, from Benin to Lagos. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who expressed deep sadness over the incident, declared three days of national mourning for the fallen personnel and directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
The President also ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, as the nation mourned the military personnel, who lost their lives, in the line of duty.
Against the backdrop of the national mourning, Asuku said Tompolo had decided to suspend all its activities, including programmes already scheduled to take place in Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.
He said the suspension would remain in force indefinitely, explaining that the decision was taken, despite extensive preparations already made for the programmes in the affected states.
According to him, the dates for the various programmes had already been fixed and preparations were at an advanced stage, with members and supporters waiting for the movement’s arrival in their respective states.
He said the prevailing circumstances, however, demanded restraint and respect for the fallen military personnel, their families and the entire nation, stressing that it would be inappropriate for the movement to proceed with political activities, while the country was in mourning.
The Grand Patron extended the movement’s condolences to President Tinubu, whom he described as the “father of the nation,” as well as the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, families of the deceased personnel and Nigerians across the country.
He said the sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces in the service of the country deserved national recognition, adding that the tragedy was a painful reminder of the risks undertaken by military personnel in the defence of Nigeria.
Asuku also apologised to the movement’s committed members, teaming supporters and stakeholders, who had patiently waited for the programmes, and made preparations for the movement’s arrival in their various states.
He acknowledged the inconvenience the indefinite suspension might cause, particularly given that the dates had already been fixed and preparations were at an advanced stage.
He, however, said the movement considered standing with the nation in a period of mourning more important than proceeding with its planned political activities.
Asuku said a new timetable for the suspended programmes would be drawn up after the situation had been reviewed, adding that members and supporters in the affected states would be informed in due course.
He urged members and supporters to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the movement had not abandoned its planned engagements and would communicate the new dates through the appropriate channels when they were determined.
The movement called on Nigerians to continue to pray for families of the deceased personnel, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the country as a whole, while reaffirming its commitment to its objectives and its nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.