The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will not sign the party’s new anti-defection oath, despite a constitutional provision requiring all candidates on its platform to do so.
The party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed this on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Enekweizu said the policy was introduced to curb rising defections and strengthen internal discipline, adding that it is anchored in the party’s constitution and binding on members who voluntarily join.
He said political parties have the right to enforce internal rules and expect compliance from members.
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Although the constitution requires all candidates to sign the oath, he said the leadership granted an administrative exemption to Obi and Kwankwaso.
“The constitution says everybody running under the platform of the party has to sign, but the party has taken the administrative decision that those required to sign in this instance do not include the presidential candidate and his vice,” he said.
Enekweizu dismissed claims of a constitutional breach, noting that the measure targets lawmakers who win elections on the party’s platform and later defect.
“Our main focus is not the governor; it’s not the president, it’s the national and state assembly members elected on the platform of our party,” he said.
He added that the NDC remains committed to reducing post-election defections and strengthening party discipline.