ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified its administrative decision to exempt its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from signing the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.

The anti-defection policy, which requires candidates contesting on the NDC platform to swear an affidavit of loyalty, was introduced to safeguard the party from the wave of post-election defections that have historically weakened opposition parties in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has clarified that 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.

Recall that the party recently rolled out the policy to curb the rising trend of elected officials abandoning their sponsoring platforms, which leaders argue weakens political organizations and damages voter confidence.

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The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, explained the stance during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

He defended the legality of the measure, noting that political parties function as voluntary associations and their members are strictly bound by internal rules and constitutional provisions.

He dismissed criticisms that the oath violates the country’s ground norm, emphasizing that the requirement to sign the affidavit is fully backed by the NDC constitution.

However, Enekweizu disclosed that the party leadership has chosen to exercise administrative discretion to excuse its top two standard-bearers from the mandate.

“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,” Enekweizu stated.

According to the National Secretary, the primary target of the defensive policy is not the executive branch, but rather lawmakers who secure seats under the party’s umbrella only to defect to rival political movements shortly after taking 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,” he added.

He reiterated that the NDC is committed to building a lasting, durable political institution and will actively prevent politicians from exploiting the platform merely as a temporary stepping stone to public office.

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