The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has introduced a compulsory indemnity and affidavit policy for its governorship and National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections in a bid to curb political defections.
The party said the measure is aimed at promoting loyalty among elected officials and safeguarding the integrity of political institutions.
Speaking during the unveiling of the policy at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, said candidates seeking to contest on the party’s platform must commit to its anti-defection provisions before securing nomination.
According to him, any candidate who wins an election on the NDC platform but later defects to another party should relinquish the mandate obtained through the party.
“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,” Cleopas said.
He argued that electoral mandates belong to political parties and the electorate that voted through those platforms, not to individual officeholders.
The chairman said the policy was informed by the growing trend of politicians abandoning the parties that sponsored them after winning elections, a development he said weakens democratic institutions and public confidence in the political system.
Cleopas noted that recent political realignments across different parties highlighted the need for stronger safeguards to preserve party structures and ideological consistency.
He maintained that the NDC was established as a long-term political institution and would not tolerate actions capable of undermining its stability.
Also speaking, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, said all aspirants would be required to swear an affidavit before a competent court affirming their understanding and acceptance of the anti-defection policy.
He explained that the affidavit would form part of the nomination documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Without this affidavit, your name will not even be uploaded to the INEC portal. It is a strict requirement,” Egwuaba said.
He added that the party would enforce the policy through lawful means and in line with constitutional provisions, insisting that elected officials who resign from the NDC cannot retain mandates secured under its platform.
According to him, the affidavit requirement is intended to close legal loopholes that allow elected officials to defect to other parties without consequences.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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