NDC Exempts Peter Obi, Kwankwaso From Anti-Defection Oath

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 aimed at discouraging elected officials from abandoning the party after winning elections.

The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed the development during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended the policy amid concerns that it could conflict with constitutional provisions.

Enekweizu explained that the requirement for candidates to sign an oath of loyalty is rooted in the party’s constitution and is intended to curb the growing trend of defections that has weakened many political parties in Nigeria.

“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 was unconstitutional, arguing that members of voluntary associations are legally bound by the rules governing such organisations.

Although the party’s constitution requires all candidates contesting on its platform to sign the anti-defection oath, Enekweizu revealed that the party had taken an administrative decision to exempt its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

“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.

According to him, the party’s primary concern is preventing elected lawmakers from defecting after securing victory at the polls.

“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 added.

The NDC recently unveiled the anti-defection policy as part of broader efforts to protect the party’s institutional integrity and discourage politicians from using its platform to win elections before switching allegiance to other political parties.

The development has sparked debate among legal experts and political stakeholders over the legality and practicality of enforcing loyalty agreements within Nigeria’s democratic system.