The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has defended its Anti-Decamping Initiative, insisting that the policy is fully consistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and is designed to curb political defections motivated by personal interests.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NDC spokesperson Theo Abu described the initiative as a party-backed innovation aimed at addressing what he termed “political prostitution” and strengthening political accountability among elected officials.
According to Abu, while members remain free to leave the party whenever they choose, those occupying elective offices must relinquish their seats if they defect without constitutional justification.
He explained that the Constitution provides protection for lawmakers and other elected officials who leave their parties as a result of divisions within the party. In such circumstances, affected members are permitted to retain their mandates.
However, Abu argued that elected officials who defect solely for personal convenience or to secure political advantages in another party should not be allowed to retain the mandates they obtained under their former platforms.
“The official retains the right to exit the party, but they cannot take the mandate with them,” he said, adding that such individuals would be required to contest again under their new political parties through a by-election.
The NDC spokesperson noted that similar practices existed during Nigeria’s First and Second Republics, citing former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as an example.
According to him, Lamido resigned his position after leaving the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), contested on a different platform and subsequently won election, a process he described as the accepted political norm at the time.
Abu further stated that the practice remains common in the United Kingdom and other established democracies where elected officials who switch parties are expected to seek fresh mandates from voters.
He maintained that the initiative does not seek to prevent party members from exercising their constitutional right to leave a political party, stressing that protections relating to genuine party divisions, including situations similar to those experienced within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remain unaffected.
The NDC also clarified that the affidavit required under the initiative does not alter or add to the Constitution but serves as a mechanism for reinforcing its provisions.
According to Abu, the affidavit provides a clear and sworn declaration empowering the party to pursue formal legal processes for the declaration of a vacant seat where an elected official defects without constitutional grounds.
