The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a new anti-defection policy that requires all candidates, who fight elections on its platform, to sign legal undertakings that bind them to forfeit their seats if they desert from the party after winning elections.
The policy, which was announced at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, also contains affidavit and indemnification documents to ensure loyalty among elected officials and defend the party’s election mandates.
NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, claimed the initiative was aimed at maintaining party discipline and preventing elected representatives from switching allegiance after winning victory on the party’s platform.
He said the action was necessitated by the increasing propensity by politicians to defect to other parties especially the ruling party after winning elections.
Cleopas said the party will ensure that the idea of party supremacy is adhered to, ensuring elected officials remain committed to the platform through which they got their mandates.
He highlighted the example of the , when several elected members allegedly walked out after winning elections under its banner.
Party mandates are for parties, not persons – Legal Adviser
The National Legal Adviser of the NDC, Reuben Egwuaba, defended the policy, saying that political parties are voluntary associations that are controlled by norms and agreements to which their members subscribe.
Egwuaba said that electoral victory is a communal effort of political parties and hence, mandates should not be seen as personal property of individual candidates.
He said the affidavit and indemnity papers would be a mechanism of commitment to ensure that elected officials remained true to the party’s beliefs and programmes throughout their tenure.
The NDC said the anti-defection law will apply to hopefuls wanting to contest for the presidency, governorship, National Assembly and other elected offices on its platform.
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