BY Charles Chijioke
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has granted a special exemption to its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from a newly introduced party rule requiring candidates to sign an anti-defection oath, a move that has already sparked political debate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Afrilensnews reports that the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed the decision during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he explained that the anti-defection policy was designed primarily to curb the recurring trend of elected officials abandoning the platforms on which they secured electoral victories.
According to Enekweizu, the oath is backed by provisions of the NDC constitution and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen party discipline and loyalty among elected representatives.
However, he revealed that the party leadership took an administrative decision to waive the requirement for both Obi and Kwankwaso.
“Our primary focus is not the governor or the president, but rather the national and state assembly members elected on the platform of our party,” Enekweizu said.
He noted that the policy was introduced in response to the frequent defections of lawmakers, a development that has repeatedly weakened political parties and altered legislative balances across the country.
Enekweizu argued that the NDC intends to safeguard its political structure from politicians who use a party merely as a vehicle to gain elective office before moving elsewhere.
According to him, the measure is aimed at promoting stability, discipline and long-term cohesion within the party, while discouraging opportunistic political realignments that have become commonplace in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
The exemption granted to Obi and Kwankwaso is expected to generate mixed reactions among party members and political observers. While supporters may view it as a pragmatic decision reflecting the stature and strategic importance of the presidential ticket, critics could question whether exempting the party’s highest-profile candidates undermines the principle of equal application of party rules.
The development also highlights the broader challenge facing opposition parties in Nigeria, where defections have often eroded party structures and complicated efforts to build enduring political institutions.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, the NDC’s anti-defection initiative signals an attempt to address one of the country’s most persistent political problems.
Whether the policy succeeds in strengthening party loyalty may depend largely on its implementation and the willingness of elected officials to remain committed to the platform that facilitated their emergence.
The NDC has yet to indicate whether similar exemptions could be extended to other categories of candidates ahead of the elections.
