NDC Exempts 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 the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath designed to discourage elected officials from abandoning the platform after winning elections.

The disclosure was made by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Enekweizu defended the controversial policy, insisting that it is backed by the NDC constitution and aimed at protecting the party from the growing trend of political defections that have weakened several political parties across Nigeria.

According to him, members who voluntarily join the party are bound by its constitution and decisions taken by its duly constituted authorities.

“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,” Enekweizu said.

He dismissed claims that the policy violates constitutional rights, arguing that individuals who belong to voluntary organisations are expected to comply with the rules governing those organisations.

While the party constitution requires all candidates contesting under the NDC platform to sign the anti-defection oath, Enekweizu revealed that the leadership had made an administrative decision to exempt Obi and Kwankwaso.

“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.

The NDC official explained that the primary objective of the policy is to prevent lawmakers elected under the party’s platform from defecting shortly after securing political 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 added.

According to the party, the anti-defection measure was introduced to preserve the institution’s stability and prevent politicians from using the party merely as a vehicle to gain power before moving to another political platform.

The NDC leadership believes frequent defections by elected officials have contributed significantly to the weakening of opposition parties and undermined political accountability in Nigeria.

Enekweizu stressed that the party is determined to build a strong and enduring political institution capable of maintaining discipline among its members.

The development comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties seeking strategies to retain elected officials and strengthen internal cohesion.

Political analysts say the decision to exempt Obi and Kwankwaso may generate debate within the party, particularly among members who may question why the rule does not apply uniformly to all candidates.

However, NDC leaders insist the measure remains necessary to safeguard the party’s long-term interests and ensure that elected representatives remain committed to the platform that sponsored their emergence.

The anti-defection policy is expected to remain a key topic of discussion as Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve in preparation for the next election cycle.