NDC Mandates Candidates Sign Anti-Defection Affidavits

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) introduced a mandatory anti-defection policy on Tuesday at its national secretariat in Abuja. The measure requires all candidates for presidential, governorship, and National Assembly seats to sign legal affidavits and indemnity forms pledging to forfeit their seats if they defect from the party after winning an election.

National Chairman Moses Cleopas stated that the policy aims to protect the sanctity of electoral mandates and prevent the common practice of politicians abandoning parties after securing victory. He specifically cited recent experiences within the Labour Party as justification for the new rules, arguing that the mandate belongs to the party platform and the voters rather than the individual candidate.

National Legal Adviser Reuben Egwuaba clarified that the affidavits are a strict requirement for the party to upload candidate names to the Independent National Electoral Commission portal. He emphasized that candidates act as agents of the party and cannot retain office if they resign from the organization.

While several gubernatorial and National Assembly candidates signed the documents during the unveiling, presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso were absent and had not yet signed as of Wednesday morning.