The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not be required to sign the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath.

The party’s National Spokesman, Ikenna Enekweizu, made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He defended the legality of the policy, stressing that political parties are voluntary associations and that members are therefore subject to internal rules and constitutional provisions.

He also rejected claims that the oath violates Nigeria’s Constitution, explaining that the requirement to sign a loyalty affidavit is supported by the party’s internal constitution.

However, Enekweizu noted that the party leadership has exercised administrative discretion to exempt its two top candidates from the rule.

“The constitution says everybody running under the platform of the party has to sign, but the party has taken the administrative decision that those required to sign in this instance do not include the presidential candidate and his vice,” Enekweizu stated.

He further explained that the policy is not directed at executive offices such as the president or governors, but rather at lawmakers who win seats under the party’s platform and later defect to other political parties.

“Our main focus is not the governor; it’s not the president, it’s the national and state assembly members elected on the platform of our party,” he added.

According to him, the party is working to build a stable political structure and prevent situations where politicians use its platform to gain office and then switch allegiance afterward.

The NDC recently introduced the anti-defection policy, which requires candidates to sign affidavits and indemnity agreements committing to vacate their seats if they leave the party, aimed at reducing defections that the party says weaken political stability and erode public trust.