The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from its new anti-defection oath meant to stop elected officials from leaving the party after winning elections.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, made this known on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He defended the policy against claims that it goes against the Constitution.
Enekweizu said the loyalty oath is backed by the NDC constitution and was introduced to protect the party from the growing trend of defections that has weakened many political parties.
“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,” he said.
He rejected claims that the policy is unconstitutional, saying members of voluntary groups are bound by their rules.
While noting that the party constitution requires all candidates to sign the oath, he said the NDC decided 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.
Enekweizu said the party is mainly concerned about lawmakers who defect 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 measure to protect the party’s integrity and says it will not allow politicians to use the platform to win elections before moving elsewhere.
