Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be required to sign the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.
The party’s National Spokesman, Mr Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended the legality and rationale behind the policy.
Enekweizu said political parties are voluntary associations governed by their constitutions and internal regulations, adding that members are expected to abide by rules adopted by the party.
He dismissed concerns that the anti-defection oath contravenes the Nigerian Constitution, insisting that the requirement is backed by the NDC’s constitution.
According to him, although the party constitution stipulates that candidates contesting on its platform should sign the oath, the leadership exercised administrative discretion in exempting the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
“The constitution says everybody running under the platform of the party has to sign, but the party has taken the administrative decision that those required to sign in this instance do not include the presidential candidate and his vice,” he said.
Enekweizu explained that the measure was primarily designed to address the recurring problem of elected lawmakers defecting from the parties under which they secured electoral victories.
He said the policy was not aimed at executive office holders such as governors or the president.
“Our main focus is not the governor; it’s not the president. It’s the national and state assembly members elected on the platform of our party,” he stated.
The spokesman noted that the party was determined to build a stable and enduring political institution and would not allow politicians to use its platform merely as a vehicle to gain elective office before defecting to rival parties.
He said the anti-defection framework requires candidates to sign indemnity and affidavit forms committing to vacate their seats should they leave the party after being elected.
According to him, the policy is intended to curb political defections, strengthen party discipline and protect the mandate given by voters.
Frequent defections by elected officials have remained a contentious issue in Nigeria’s political landscape, often triggering debates about party loyalty, electoral mandates and democratic accountability.
The NDC said the new measure was part of broader efforts to promote internal cohesion and restore public confidence in political institutions.
