The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from the party’s anti-defection oath requirement.
The policy mandates candidates seeking elective positions on the party’s platform to sign indemnity forms and sworn affidavits pledging not to defect to another political party after securing electoral victory.
According to the NDC, the initiative is designed to reinforce party discipline, encourage loyalty, and curb the growing trend of political defections that has affected several parties in recent years.
While the presidential ticket has been excluded from the requirement, the party maintained that the anti-defection oath remains compulsory for candidates contesting governorship, legislative, and other elective offices.
The decision has sparked debate within political circles, with some analysts and observers questioning the rationale behind exempting the party’s top candidates from a policy intended to ensure commitment and loyalty across all levels of the party.
