The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath designed to discourage elected officials from abandoning the party after winning elections.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended the policy against criticisms that it violates constitutional provisions.
According to Enekweizu, the loyalty oath is backed by the NDC constitution and was introduced to protect the party from the wave of defections that has weakened several political parties in recent years.
“First and foremost, a political party is like any other association, and every member who subscribes to the membership of the party is bound by the provisions of the constitution of the party and decisions taken by the party’s properly constituted authorities. Within NDC, the decision to make people sign that affidavit is provided for in our constitution,” he said.
He dismissed claims that the measure is unconstitutional, arguing that members of voluntary associations are legally bound by the rules governing such organisations.
While noting that the party’s constitution requires all candidates contesting on its platform to sign the oath, Enekweizu said the NDC had made an administrative decision to exempt Obi and Kwankwaso.
“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 stated.
Enekweizu explained that the party’s main concern is the growing trend of lawmakers defecting shortly after being elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
“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 said.
The NDC recently unveiled the anti-defection policy as part of efforts to protect the party’s institutional integrity. Party leaders said frequent defections by elected officials have undermined political parties and weakened democratic structures.
Enekweizu added that the NDC is determined to build a strong and enduring political institution and will not allow politicians to use the party merely as a platform to win elections before moving elsewhere.
