The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath aimed at preventing elected officials from abandoning the platform after securing victory at the polls.

The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed the development on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, where he defended the policy amid concerns that it may conflict with constitutional provisions.

Enekweizu explained that the loyalty oath is rooted in the NDC constitution and was introduced to protect the party from the growing trend of political defections that have weakened several political organisations in recent years.

According to him, membership of a political party is voluntary, and members are expected to abide by the party’s constitution and decisions made by its duly constituted authorities.

“First and foremost, a political party is like any other association, and every member who subscribes to the membership of the party is bound by the provisions of the constitution of the party and decisions taken by the party’s properly constituted authorities. Within NDC, the decision to make people sign that affidavit is provided for in our constitution,” he said.

He rejected claims that the policy is unconstitutional, insisting that members of voluntary associations are legally obligated to comply with the rules governing such bodies.

While noting that the party’s constitution requires all candidates seeking elective office on its platform to sign the oath, Enekweizu said the NDC had exercised its administrative discretion to exempt Obi and Kwankwaso.

“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,” he stated.

The NDC secretary clarified that the party’s primary concern is not with presidential or gubernatorial candidates but with lawmakers elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly who often defect shortly after assuming office.

“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.

The NDC recently introduced the anti-defection measure as part of efforts to preserve its institutional integrity and strengthen party discipline. Party leaders said the decision was informed by the recurring trend of elected officials abandoning the platforms that sponsored their elections.

Enekweizu maintained that the NDC is committed to building a strong and enduring political institution and will not allow politicians to use the party merely as a vehicle for electoral success before moving elsewhere.