BREAKING: NDC Exempts Peter Obi, Kwankwaso from New Anti-Defection Oath

• The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has explained why two of its top candidates will not be affected by the new anti-defection oath aimed at strengthening party loyalty and protecting its political structure.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.

The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday while defending the policy against claims that it violates constitutional provisions.

According to Enekweizu, the anti-defection oath is backed by the party’s constitution and was introduced to protect the NDC from the growing trend of elected officials abandoning the platform after winning elections.

He argued that members of political parties are bound by the rules and decisions contained in their party constitutions, stressing that the loyalty requirement is lawful and enforceable.

While noting that the party’s constitution requires all candidates contesting under its platform to sign the oath, Enekweizu said the NDC had made an administrative decision to exclude Obi and Kwankwaso from the arrangement.

He explained that the party’s primary concern is with lawmakers elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, many of whom defect to other parties shortly after securing office.

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According to him, the anti-defection measure is designed to preserve the party’s institutional strength and prevent politicians from using the platform solely as a vehicle to win elections before moving elsewhere.

The NDC recently unveiled the loyalty oath as part of broader efforts to build a stable and enduring political institution ahead of future elections.

Enekweizu maintained that the party remains committed to enforcing internal discipline and protecting the mandate entrusted to candidates elected under its banner.