RismadarVoice Reporters, June 2026
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from a newly introduced anti-defection oath designed to discourage elected officials from leaving the party after securing electoral victories.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed the exemption on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Enekweizu defended the anti-defection policy, arguing that it is rooted in the party’s constitution and aimed at protecting the organisation from the growing trend of political defections that have affected several parties in recent years.
According to him, members of political parties are bound by the rules and decisions of the organisations they voluntarily join.
“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,” he said.
He rejected claims that the loyalty oath violates constitutional rights, insisting that the measure falls within the powers of the party as a voluntary association.
While noting that the party’s constitution requires all candidates seeking elective office on its platform to sign the oath, Enekweizu said the NDC had taken an administrative decision to exclude Obi and Kwankwaso from the requirement.
“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 party’s primary concern is with legislators elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly who defect shortly after winning elections.
“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 said.
The NDC recently introduced the anti-defection measure as part of efforts to strengthen party discipline and preserve its institutional stability.
Party leaders have argued that the frequent movement of elected officials between political parties undermines the mandate given to parties by voters and weakens democratic institutions.
Enekweizu said the party is committed to building a sustainable political structure and will not allow politicians to use its platform solely as a means of securing elective office before defecting to other parties.
