The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has explained why its presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso will not be required to sign the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.
The party’s national spokesperson, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.
He said the decision was based on administrative discretion by the party leadership.
Party defends policy
Enekweizu said the anti-defection measure is supported by the NDC constitution, describing political parties as voluntary organisations where members are expected to follow agreed rules.
According to him, the requirement applies to candidates contesting under the party’s platform, but the leadership decided that the presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate would be excluded.
“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.
NDC targets lawmakers who switch parties
The party spokesperson explained that the policy is mainly aimed at elected lawmakers who leave the party after securing political positions through its platform.
He said the focus is not on the president or governors but on members of the National Assembly and state assemblies.
According to him, the move is intended to protect the party’s structure and prevent politicians from using the platform only as a route to gaining office.
Party seeks stronger political structure
Enekweizu said the NDC wants to build a stable political institution where elected officials remain committed to the platform that supported their ambitions.
The party recently introduced the anti-defection policy as part of efforts to address the frequent movement of politicians between parties after elections.