The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be required to sign the party’s newly introduced loyalty affidavit, despite the constitutional provision backing the policy for candidates contesting on its platform. The decision has sparked political debate as the party continues to defend the NDC anti-defection oath, which was introduced to curb the growing trend of elected officials abandoning political parties after securing electoral victories.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, the National Secretary of the NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, maintained that the policy is rooted in the party’s constitution and is legally binding on members who voluntarily join the organisation. According to him, every member of the party is expected to abide by the provisions contained in the party constitution and decisions taken by its duly constituted authorities.
Enekweizu argued that the NDC anti-defection oath does not violate any constitutional provision, stressing that political parties have the right to establish internal rules that govern their members. He said individuals who willingly subscribe to party membership are expected to respect and comply with those regulations.
Although the party constitution requires candidates contesting on the NDC platform to sign the loyalty affidavit, Enekweizu disclosed that the party leadership had taken an administrative decision to exempt Obi and Kwankwaso from the requirement.
He explained that while the constitutional provision remains intact, the exemption applies specifically to the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the current electoral cycle. The disclosure effectively places the party’s top ticket outside the scope of the policy while maintaining the requirement for other candidates seeking elective positions under the NDC banner.
Enekweizu stated that the central objective of the NDC anti-defection oath is not directed at presidential or governorship candidates but at legislators who often switch political parties shortly after winning elections.
According to him, the party is particularly concerned about members elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly who later abandon the platform that sponsored their emergence. He noted that such defections have weakened several political parties and undermined efforts to build stable political institutions across the country.
The NDC recently unveiled the anti-defection measure as part of broader efforts to strengthen party discipline and preserve institutional stability. Party leaders have repeatedly cited the migration of elected officials to rival political parties after elections as a major challenge facing Nigeria’s democratic system.
Enekweizu said the party intends to build a durable political structure and would resist attempts by politicians to use the organisation solely as a vehicle for electoral success before moving elsewhere. He added that the NDC remains committed to protecting its identity, strengthening party loyalty, and ensuring that elected officials remain accountable to the platform that secured their mandate.
The exemption granted to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso has added a new dimension to discussions surrounding the NDC anti-defection oath. While party leaders insist the policy is necessary to safeguard institutional stability, debate is likely to continue over its implementation and the decision to exclude the party’s top candidates from the requirement ahead of the 2027 elections.
