The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a new anti-defection policy requiring candidates contesting elections on its platform to sign legal documents committing to resign from office if they leave the party after winning elections.
The party unveiled indemnity and affidavit forms for aspirants and candidates during a ceremony held at its National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen party discipline and protect electoral mandates.
According to the National Chairman of the party, Moses Cleopas, the policy will apply to candidates contesting presidential, governorship, National Assembly and other elective positions under the NDC platform.
Cleopas said the decision was taken to prevent elected officials from abandoning the party platform that provided them the opportunity to win elections.
“In our last NEC meeting, a motion was moved, supported and adopted, establishing that when we take over government, people elected on the platform of our party must respect the party’s instrument,” he said.
The chairman said the party was determined to preserve what he described as the principle of party supremacy and protect its political structure.
“One thing we have come to observe is that in the present polity, when people contest elections and win under political parties, they become gods. And within the period they ought to serve, they will, on one minor excuse, dump the platform and perhaps move to the ruling party,” he added.
Cleopas referenced previous political developments in Nigeria, noting that some parties have lost elected members after elections despite winning seats on their platforms.
“A very typical example that we have all seen in the last three years is the Labour Party, where so many individuals won elections under the platform of the party. Now, we are in another election cycle. Go and check their history. How many of the people who won elections under the Labour Party and were inaugurated are still members of the party?” he said.
He stressed that joining the party and contesting elections under its platform remained voluntary but insisted that candidates must accept the rules guiding membership.
“If you want to contest an election under the platform of the NDC, you are free to come. Nobody is forcing you. But when you come, you should know that there are certain rules by which we, as a political party, guide our members,” Cleopas stated.
The party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, defended the policy, arguing that political parties are voluntary organisations governed by rules accepted by members.
“A political party is just like a club, church or mosque where there are rules and regulations. That is why the 1999 Constitution, under Section 222, states that a candidate of a political party is merely an agent of the party,” he said.
Egwuaba maintained that electoral mandates belong to political parties rather than individual candidates.
“So, if you are privileged to win an election after clinching the party ticket, that does not mean the mandate belongs to you,” he added.
The NDC said the affidavit and indemnity documents are designed to reinforce loyalty among elected officials and ensure that those who secure political offices through the party remain committed to its platform throughout their tenure.
