2027: Why We Asked Party Candidates To Sign Anti-defection Affidavits – NDC

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended the party’s decision to compel all candidates seeking elective positions on its platform to sign indemnity and affidavit forms before receiving the party’s ticket.

According to a statement shared on Wednesday by the NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, the move is aimed at curbing decamping and political prostitution.

Naija News recalls that the NDC policy, unveiled on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, requires candidates who win elections on its platform to vacate their seats if they defect to another political party before the expiration of their tenure.

Speaking during the signing ceremony attended by some candidates and aspirants, the National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, said the decision was taken to protect the party’s electoral mandate and strengthen internal discipline.

Cleopas said the party could no longer ignore the recurring trend of politicians winning elections on the platform of political parties only to abandon the same parties after securing office.

He said the new policy was approved at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting as part of measures to prevent elected officials from treating party mandates as personal property.

Defending the outrage that has greeted the party’s decision in certain quarters, Agada explained that the move is backed by the Nigerian constitution.

He also added that it has historical support, and while individuals are free to leave the party if they so desire, they must vacate their seats before doing so.

The full statement reads: “The NDC Anti-Decamping Initiative is a party-backed innovation aimed at curbing decamping and political prostitution.

“While individuals are free to leave the party if they so desire, they must vacate their seats. This position is fully consistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Where a division occurs in the party as defined by the Constitution, there is no issue, affected members are free to exit with constitutional protection. However, if an elected official chooses to leave purely for personal convenience in pursuit of a better deal with another party, they may do so but must relinquish the mandate.

“The official retains the right to exit the party, but they cannot take the mandate with them. They would need to contest on a new platform, triggering a by-election.

“This practice was standard in Nigeria’s First and Second Republics. For instance, when Sule Lamido left the PRP, he honourably resigned his position, contested on a new platform, and won. This was the norm then, and it remains the practice in the United Kingdom and other mature democracies.

“Through this initiative, the NDC is not preventing anyone from leaving the party. Constitutional protections for genuine party divisions, such as those witnessed in the PDP remain intact. However, where a member defects out of mere convenience, they must vacate the seat.

“The affidavit required under this initiative does not add to or alter the Constitution; it merely reinforces it. It strengthens the moral authority of the party and provides a clear, sworn declaration that authorises the NDC to pursue the formal declaration of the seat as vacant.”