NDC justifies anti-defection policy, cites constitution article 16

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended its anti-defection policy, which requires candidates signing legal documents to vacate their elective positions if they leave the party after winning. Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on June 18, 2026, National Publicity Secretary Osa Director stated the rule is contained in Article 16 of the party’s constitution and applies to those contesting governorship, National Assembly and other elective seats under the NDC platform. He said politicians focus on elections while statesmen focus on nation‑building, and the policy aims to deepen democracy and the rule of law.

This matters because voter confidence can be affected when elected officials change parties after elections, potentially undermining mandate legitimacy. By requiring a pre‑election affidavit, NDC seeks to reduce post‑election defections, promoting stability and clearer accountability for office‑holders. The party also urges other political groups to adopt similar measures to strengthen democratic practices nationwide.

Voters should consider a party’s stance on defections when evaluating candidates, and note that the policy is internal to NDC—no external legal enforcement mechanism was mentioned in the interview. Those interested can review NDC’s constitution for Article 16 details, though the article did not provide a direct link or specify penalties for non‑compliance beyond the commitment to vacate office.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/19/its-in-our-constitution-ndc-justifies-anti-defection-policy/