The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a new anti-defection policy requiring all its governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly candidates to sign indemnity forms committing to vacate their seats if they defect from the party after winning elections.
The policy was unveiled on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja during a signing ceremony attended by aspirants and candidates preparing for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, said the initiative was designed to strengthen party discipline, protect the mandate of voters, and discourage political defections after elections.
According to him, the policy is not intended to punish members but to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
“The mandate belongs to the party and the people who voted through that platform. If you leave the party after winning, you cannot continue to hold the seat,” Cleopas said.
He explained that all candidates seeking elective office on the NDC platform must agree to the conditions before receiving the party’s ticket.
“We are putting this in black and white. Once you take the ticket, you are bound by it. If you leave, you leave with the seat,” he added.
NDC Cites Constitution, African Charter to Defend Policy
Cleopas argued that the anti-defection measure aligns with constitutional provisions and international human rights instruments governing political participation.
He referenced the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Section 14 and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, noting that while citizens have the freedom to join or leave political parties, elected officials should not retain mandates obtained through a party after defecting.
According to him, elective offices are products of party nominations and cannot be separated from the platform that sponsored successful candidates.
Party Says Defections Undermine Electoral Mandates
The NDC said recent political developments across several parties underscore the need for stronger safeguards against political defections.
Cleopas cited the Labour Party as an example, saying some elected officials won elections under the party’s platform before later defecting to other political parties.
The party described its indemnity forms as both a constitutional and moral safeguard against what it termed political opportunism.
“It’s an NDC-backed innovation to stop decamping and political prostitution. Anyone who wants to leave is free to do so, but must vacate the seat. Our position aligns with the Constitution,” the party stated.
However, the party clarified that the policy would not apply where defections result from constitutionally recognised divisions within a political party.
NDC Promises Stronger Internal Reforms
The party also disclosed that elected officials who resign from the NDC should seek fresh mandates through by-elections if they wish to contest under another political platform.
Drawing historical comparisons, the party referenced former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido’s resignation from the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), describing it as an example of political accountability.
It further explained that the affidavit requirement does not create new constitutional obligations but strengthens existing legal provisions by empowering the party to seek declarations of vacant seats where necessary.
Acknowledging that the NDC is still a relatively young political party, barely four months old, the leadership said it is implementing reforms to build a stronger institution.
These reforms include the digitalisation of party primaries, improved internal processes, and mechanisms aimed at promoting party loyalty.
“We want everybody to stay and build the party with us. If things are not right, stay and make them right. If things are good, stay and make them better,” the party said.
Legal Adviser Backs Anti-Defection Requirement
Also speaking, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, maintained that provisions of the NDC constitution support the anti-defection policy.
According to him, Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the party’s constitution make it clear that elected officials remain bound to the political platform that sponsored their election.
“These provisions make it clear that once you are elected under the NDC, your mandate is tied to the party. If you resign from the party, you cannot retain the office,” Egwuaba said.
The party expressed confidence that the policy would strengthen internal democracy, promote political accountability, and discourage post-election defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
