The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from its newly introduced anti-defection oath designed to prevent elected officials from abandoning the party after securing victory at the polls.
The disclosure was made by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, where he defended the controversial measure against allegations that it violates constitutional provisions.
According to Enekweizu, the loyalty oath is rooted in the party’s constitution and forms part of efforts to protect the NDC from the growing trend of defections that has weakened several political parties across the country.
“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 policy is unconstitutional, maintaining that members of voluntary associations are obligated to abide by the rules governing such organisations.
Although the party constitution requires all candidates seeking elective office on its platform to sign the oath, Enekweizu revealed that the NDC had made an administrative decision to exempt its presidential ticket from the requirement.
“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.
He explained that the policy is primarily targeted at legislators who often defect after being elected on the party’s platform.
“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 broader efforts to strengthen party discipline and preserve its institutional integrity.
Party leaders said the measure was prompted by the recurring defection of elected officials who use political parties as vehicles to win elections before moving to rival platforms.
Enekweizu stressed that the NDC is committed to building a sustainable political institution and would not allow politicians to exploit the party for electoral gains only to abandon it afterward.
