The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a new anti-defection policy requiring all candidates seeking elective offices on its platform to sign legal documents committing to vacate their seats if they defect from the party after winning elections.
The policy was unveiled at the party's National Secretariat in Abuja, where officials presented indemnity and affidavit forms for aspirants and candidates ahead of future elections.
National Chairman of the NDC, Moses Cleopas, said the measure would apply to candidates contesting presidential, governorship, National Assembly and other elective positions under the party's platform.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at strengthening party discipline and preventing elected officials from abandoning the party after securing victory at the polls.
Cleopas noted that some politicians often defect to other parties, including ruling parties, shortly after winning elections on the platform of opposition parties.
He cited the experience of the Labour Party, arguing that many individuals elected under its banner are no longer members of the party.
The NDC chairman stressed that while party membership remains voluntary, anyone seeking elective office on the party's platform must agree to abide by its rules and regulations.
Also speaking, the party's National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, defended the policy, describing political parties as voluntary associations governed by established rules.
Egwuaba maintained that electoral mandates belong to political parties rather than individual candidates, adding that those elected on a party platform are expected to remain loyal to the party throughout their tenure.
The party said the affidavit and indemnity forms are designed to reinforce loyalty among elected officials and safeguard its electoral mandates.
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