The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has explained why its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be required to sign the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.
The clarification was given on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, during a television interview. He said the party took an administrative decision to exempt its two top candidates from the policy despite a constitutional provision requiring candidates contesting under the party’s platform to sign the commitment document.
According to him, the anti-defection measure remains part of the party’s internal rules and is legally supported by the NDC constitution. He maintained that political parties are voluntary associations whose members are expected to abide by established regulations.
Enekweizu dismissed concerns that the policy conflicts with the Nigerian Constitution. He insisted that the party has the authority to create rules aimed at protecting its interests and ensuring loyalty among elected officials.
He explained that the main objective of the policy is to address the growing trend of lawmakers abandoning the political parties that sponsored their elections shortly after taking office. The party believes such actions weaken political organisations and betray the trust of voters who elected candidates based on party platforms.
The spokesman stated that the focus of the policy is largely on members of the National Assembly and state legislatures rather than holders of executive offices. He said the party wants to stop politicians from using its platform to gain public office only to move elsewhere after securing victory at the polls.
The NDC recently introduced the anti-defection oath as part of efforts to strengthen party discipline and preserve its electoral mandates. Under the arrangement, candidates seeking elective positions on the party’s platform are expected to sign legal documents committing themselves to remain with the party throughout their tenure or face consequences if they defect.
Party leaders believe the measure will help build a stronger political structure and reduce the loss of elected officials to rival parties after elections.
While Obi and Kwankwaso have been exempted from signing the oath, the NDC maintains that the policy remains in force for other candidates contesting elections under its platform as preparations continue for future electoral contests.