The Nigeria Democratic Congress has removed its presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso from a new rule requiring party candidates to sign an anti-defection oath before elections.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He explained that the oath is part of the party’s constitution and is meant to stop elected officials from leaving the party after winning elections.
He said political parties operate as voluntary groups where members are expected to follow internal rules and respect decisions made by approved party leadership.
According to him, while the rule applies to candidates under the party’s platform, the leadership decided administratively that the presidential and vice-presidential candidates would not be required to sign the document in this election cycle.
He added that the main aim of the policy is to control the frequent movement of lawmakers at both national and state levels after elections, which has often affected party stability.
The party noted that its concern is mainly focused on members of the National Assembly and state legislatures who often switch allegiance after securing political office on its platform.
Political defections remain common in Nigeria’s political space, where elected officials sometimes change parties due to internal disagreements, strategic interests, or shifting alliances, a trend that has continued to affect party structures over the years.
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