The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from a newly introduced directive requiring party candidates to sign an anti-defection affidavit.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, made the disclosure during a television interview on Wednesday, clarifying the scope of the new regulatory measure. He explained that while the anti-defection oath is constitutionally mandated for candidates running on the party’s platform, the leadership made an administrative decision to excuse the top tier of the presidential ticket.
According to Enekweizu, the policy change is primarily aimed at checking the frequent cross-carpeting of lawmakers at both the state and national levels. He noted that the party has historically suffered from elected representatives abandoning the platform after utilizing its resources to secure legislative seats.
“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,” Enekweizu stated. “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.”
The NDC leadership emphasized that political parties function as voluntary associations, meaning members are expected to comply with internal rules designed to preserve organizational stability.
The anti-defection oath was introduced as a safeguard to ensure political discipline, foster long-term cohesion, and prevent the platform from being treated as a mere vehicle for electoral convenience.
Political defection has been a persistent feature of the Nigerian political landscape, with lawmakers frequently switching allegiances mid-term by citing internal party leadership crises or aligning with shifting political currents.
The NDC’s new strategy represents a growing institutional effort among opposition parties to curb the trend and maintain their legislative numbers after elections.
