By Eteteonline Team
Concerned about the wave of defections in Nigerian politics, candidates contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are required to sign an affidavit and an anti-defection indemnification form.
The policy introduced by National Chairman Moses Cleopas guarantees that election mandates belong to the party and the people, preventing the numerous political defections that undermine opposition parties.
If candidates leave their party after winning an election, they are required by law to surrender their electoral mandates.
The NDC requires all its candidates to take an anti-defection pledge of loyalty, which is an affidavit and indemnification form requiring them to surrender their electoral mandate in the event that they leave the party after winning an election.
As part of the required nomination documents submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), candidates must fill out indemnification forms and execute affidavits before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the contenders for president and vice president, are not required to sign the affidavit.
To take the NDC Anti-Defection Oath, candidates must willingly and solemnly vow and confirm that they will:
• adhere to the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s principles, constitution, platform, and leadership;
• respect the values of accountability, democracy, openness, and service to the Nigerian people;
• not defect, decamp, or switch allegiance to any other political party while holding any position, nomination, or election office obtained under the NDC platform, unless otherwise allowed by law and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution;
• refrain from any action meant to weaken, sabotage, undermine, or discredit the NDC;
• steadfastly endorse the party’s decisions made through its legal organs and democratic procedures; and
• recognize that the authority granted to me by the NDC platform is a sacred trust that must be used in the party’s and the people’s best interests.
If the member decides to quit the NDC, he must respectfully give up any party position he may have held as a result of his membership and abide by all relevant laws and party rules.
The member willingly, conscientiously, and in good faith takes the oath, believing it to be binding on his honor and integrity, and promises to uphold unity, discipline, and collective advancement within the party at all times.
An anti-defection oath cannot supersede constitutional laws pertaining to elected officials under Nigerian constitutional law. The Constitution’s provisions and pertinent court rulings must be followed by any clause that seeks the automatic loss of a legislative seat or political office upon defection.
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