NDC introduces anti‑defection oath, risking seats for candidates who switch parties

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced a new anti‑defection policy that requires candidates running for elective office on its platform to sign legal documents pledging to vacate their positions if they leave the party after being elected.

The policy was revealed during a ceremony at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where officials presented indemnity and affidavit forms for aspirants and candidates ahead of upcoming elections.

National Chairman Moses Cleopas said the rule will cover candidates contesting presidential, governorship, National Assembly and other elective positions under the NDC banner.

Cleopas explained that the measure is intended to strengthen party discipline and prevent politicians who win elections on the NDC platform from later defecting to another party.

“In our last NEC meeting, a motion was moved, supported and adopted, establishing that when we take over government, people elected on the platform of our party must respect the party’s instrument,” he said.

The chairman emphasized the party’s commitment to protecting its electoral mandates and upholding what he called the principle of party supremacy.

“One thing we have come to observe is that in the present polity, when people contest elections and win under political parties, they become gods. And within the period they ought to serve, they will, on one minor excuse, dump the platform and perhaps move to the ruling party,” he added.

Cleopas cited past election cycles, noting that several opposition parties have lost elected members after victories on their platforms.

“A very typical example that we have all seen in the last three years is the Labour Party, where so many individuals won elections under the platform of the party. Now, we are in another election cycle. Go and check their history. How many of the people who won elections under the Labour Party and were inaugurated are still members of the party?” he said.

He stressed that party membership remains voluntary but that anyone seeking elective office under the NDC must agree to abide by its internal regulations.

“If you want to contest an election under the platform of the NDC, you are free to come. Nobody is forcing you. But when you come, you should know that there are certain rules by which we, as a political party, guide our members,” Cleopas stated.

Reuben Egwuaba, the party’s National Legal Adviser, defended the policy by noting that political parties are voluntary associations governed by rules accepted by members.

“A political party is just like a club, church or mosque where there are rules and regulations. That is why the 1999 Constitution, under Section 222, states that a candidate of a political party is merely an agent of the party,” he said.

Egwuaba maintained that electoral mandates belong to political parties rather than individual candidates.

“So, if you are privileged to win an election after clinching the party ticket, that does not mean the mandate belongs to you,” Egwuaba added.

The party said the affidavit and indemnity forms are intended to reinforce loyalty to the platform and ensure that elected officials remain committed to the party throughout their tenure.