The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s new rule that requires members to take an anti-defection oath before contesting elections under its platform.
The party said the rule was introduced to stop elected officials from leaving the party after winning elections on its ticket.
The decision was made to protect the party from frequent defections that have affected many political groups in the country.
The National Secretary of the NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, explained during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the oath is supported by the party’s constitution.
He said members who join the party agree to follow its rules and decisions.
He added that while the constitution states that all candidates must sign the oath, the party leadership has taken an internal decision to exclude both Obi and Kwankwaso from the requirement in this case.
Enekweizu noted that the party is more concerned about lawmakers elected into the National Assembly and state assemblies, as they are the ones who often leave the party after securing office.
According to him, the main goal of the policy is to strengthen the party structure and prevent politicians from using the platform only during elections before moving to other parties afterward.
