Politics
NDC introduces anti-defection oath, candidates risk losing seats for dumping party
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a new anti-defection policy requiring candidates seeking elective offices on its platform to sign legal documents committing to vacate their positions if they leave the party after winning elections.
The development was disclosed during a ceremony held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where party officials unveiled indemnity and affidavit forms for aspirants and candidates ahead of future elections.
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 aimed at strengthening party discipline and preventing situations where politicians secure electoral victories on a party platform and later defect to another political party.
“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 stated that the party was determined to protect its electoral mandates and preserve what he described as the principle of party supremacy.
“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 cited experiences from previous election cycles, noting that some opposition parties lost several elected members after elections despite securing victories 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 membership of the party remains voluntary but insisted that anyone seeking elective office under the NDC must agree to abide by its internal regulations.
“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.
Also speaking, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, defended the policy, arguing that political parties operate as voluntary associations 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.
He 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,” Egwuaba added.
The party said the affidavit and indemnity forms are intended to reinforce loyalty to the platform and ensure that elected officials remain committed to the party throughout their tenure.
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The immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that he has no plan to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adelabu made this declaration via a statement issued on his behalf by his media aide, Femi Awogboro.
The statement was made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
DAILY POST gathered that a rumour surfaced online on Tuesday that Adelabu had concluded plans to dump the APC.
It was stated in the rumour that the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intended to join the SDP.
But Adelabu, in his reaction, described the rumour as false and baseless.
He said that the rumour was fabricated to mislead members of the public.
Adelabu, in the statement, maintained that he is a committed member of the APC.
He, however, insisted that no amount of falsehood can deter him from the party.
“Those behind this rumour should understand that Chief Adelabu remains a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and no amount of falsehood, propaganda, wishful thinking, or political mischief can alter that reality.
“The attempt to link Chief Adelabu with a non-existent defection agenda is therefore highly disrespectful and should be condemned by all well-meaning members of the public. It is nothing more than a calculated effort to generate media attention and create an artificial political trend where none exists.”
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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that the party will emerge victorious in the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election, citing Governor Abiodun Oyebanji’s performance and widespread support among the people.
Yilwatda stated this in a post on X on Tuesday after attending the APC mega rally in Ekiti State alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the National Working Committee, governors and other party leaders.
According to him, the large turnout at the rally reflected the governor’s popularity and acceptance across the state, adding that residents were eager to reward him with another term in office.
The APC chairman said Oyebanji had justified the trust reposed in him by the people through the construction and rehabilitation of roads, investments in education, and policies aimed at improving human capital development.
He noted that the administration’s achievements were evident across the state and had earned the governor the confidence and support of the electorate.
Yilwatda expressed optimism that the APC would secure victory in the election, attributing the expected outcome to the governor’s record in office and the backing of Ekiti residents.
“Governor Oyebanji has justified the confidence reposed in him by the people. Under his administration, critical roads have been constructed and rehabilitated, opening up communities and facilitating economic activities.
“His government has created an enabling environment for students to learn and excel, while significant investments have been made in education and human capital development.
“Today, everywhere you turn in Ekiti, the evidence of good governance is visible. The people recognize what Governor Oyebanji has done, and they are proud of his achievements. That is why thousands gathered voluntarily to express their support and reaffirm their confidence in his leadership,” Yilwatda said.
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The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has said the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is yet to publicly name former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Amadi said Nigerians are waiting for him to publicly announce Amadi as his presidential running mate.
Posting on X, Amadi wrote: “@atiku is yet to publicly name @ChibuikeAmaechi as his VP. May be he will do so soonest. We wait to hear him say so soonest.”
On Monday, the ADC had named Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State as Atiku’s presidential running mate for the 2027 general elections.
The choice of Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate was revealed by ADC’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi via a statement.
Abdullahi said Amaechi was chosen after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
However, observed that the former Vice President is yet to publicly unveil Amaechi as his running mate.
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