The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a mandatory affidavit for all its candidates seeking elective offices under the platform, requiring them to forfeit their seats if they defect from the party after winning elections.
The national chairman of the party, Moses Cleopas, announced the policy during an indemnity signing meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday.
He also emphasized that candidates, including governorship and presidential candidates, are not exclude from the affidavit policy.
Additionally, the NDC Chairman explained that the development was not a witch-hunt but aimed at protecting the sanctity of electoral mandates and curbing what he described as “post-election political migration.”
Cleopas further stated that the party would not condone situations where officials elected under the party platform abandon the party but seek to retain the mandate.
He said, “The mandate belongs to the party and the people who voted through that platform. If you leave the party after winning, you cannot continue to hold the seat.”
The National Chairman explained that the policy is aimed at ensuring that candidates clearly accept the condition before contesting elections under the NDC, saying: “We are putting this in black and white. Once you take the ticket, you are bound by it. If you leave, you leave with the seat.”
He noted that such incidents highlight the need for more stringent internal protections, citing political realignments across parties, including the Labour Party.
Legal Provision
Cleopas argued that although freedom of association is guaranteed, it does not automatically extend to holding electoral position after defection, citing rules of both domestic and international legal frameworks as the policy’s legal foundation.
He notably cited Article 11 and Section 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which he said guarantee freedom of association and political involvement, including the ability to join or abandon political organisations.
Additionally, he cited sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) to support his claim that party-based electoral mandates must be balanced with democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Explaining further, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Barrister Reuben Egwuaba, expanded on the constitutional argument, saying the NDC constitution itself contains enforceable clauses on defection.
“Without this affidavit, your name will not even be uploaded to the INEC portal. It is a strict requirement,” he said.
