The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be required to sign the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.
The development was disclosed by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, during an interview on Channels Television, where he defended the policy aimed at preventing elected officials from defecting after winning elections on the party’s platform.
According to Enekweizu, the anti-defection measure is backed by the party’s constitution and was introduced to protect the NDC from the growing trend of politicians abandoning parties after securing electoral victories.
“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.
He explained that the party’s main concern is lawmakers elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly who often switch political parties after gaining office.
“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,” Enekweizu stated.
The NDC recently unveiled the anti-defection policy as part of efforts to strengthen party loyalty and preserve its institutional integrity.
Party leaders argue that repeated defections by elected officials have weakened many political parties and undermined public trust in the democratic process.
Enekweizu maintained that members who willingly join the party are expected to abide by its constitution and internal regulations.
The latest announcement means that while most candidates contesting under the NDC banner will be required to sign the oath, Obi and Kwankwaso have been granted an exemption through an administrative decision by the party.
The move has already sparked debate among political observers, with some questioning the exemption while others view it as a strategic decision ahead of future elections.
Source: Channels Television – Politics Today / NDC National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu.
