The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled a new anti-defection policy aimed at preventing elected officials from abandoning the party after winning elections on its platform.
As part of the measure, all governorship and National Assembly aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for the 2027 general elections will be required to sign a mandatory indemnity and sworn affidavit before securing nomination.
The policy was announced at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja during a meeting with aspirants and party stakeholders.
According to NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, the move was introduced to strengthen party loyalty and stop the growing trend of politicians defecting after winning elections.
“We are putting this in black and white. Once you take the ticket, you are bound by it. If you leave, you leave with the seat,” Cleopas said.
The party maintained that electoral mandates belong to the political platform through which candidates are elected and not to individuals alone.
Cleopas argued that post-election defections weaken political institutions, erode public trust and undermine the democratic process.
“The mandate belongs to the party and the people who voted through that platform. If you leave the party after winning, you cannot continue to hold the seat,” he added.
The NDC chairman cited recent political developments across different parties as evidence of the need for stronger internal safeguards.
He stressed that the party intends to build a long-term political institution founded on discipline, consistency and loyalty.
Also speaking, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, explained that every aspirant must swear before a competent court that they understand and accept the anti-defection provisions before their nomination can be approved.
“Without this affidavit, your name will not even be uploaded to the INEC portal. It is a strict requirement,” Egwuaba said.
According to him, the affidavit will form part of the official nomination documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The party believes the policy will help close legal loopholes that often allow elected officials to defect without consequences after securing victory at the polls.
Source: NDC National Secretariat, Abuja.
