The decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to require its candidates to sign indemnity bonds aimed at discouraging post-election defections has ignited widespread debate among political stakeholders, legal experts and analysts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The measure, introduced by the opposition party, is designed to ensure that elected officials who secure victory on the party’s platform remain loyal to it throughout their tenure.
The policy was formally unveiled on Tuesday by the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, during a ceremony held at the party’s National Secretariat and attended by aspirants and candidates preparing for the next electoral cycle.
Under the arrangement, candidates are expected to sign undertakings committing themselves to relinquish their positions should they defect to another political party after winning elections on the NDC platform.
The initiative has attracted both praise and criticism, reflecting broader concerns about the recurring phenomenon of political defections that has become a prominent feature of Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Supporters of the policy argue that it represents an effort to strengthen party discipline and protect mandates secured through collective political structures.
Critics, however, contend that such a move raises constitutional questions and may not offer a lasting solution to the problem of cross-carpeting among elected officials.
According to report, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, Gbade Ojo, described the development as evidence of deeper challenges confronting Nigeria’s democratic culture.
According to him, the frequent movement of politicians between parties reflects a lack of ideological commitment and weak institutional foundations within the political system.
“As a political scientist, that development is a sign that our democracy is not growing. If our democratic system and practice are growing, people will belong to political parties for a purpose and a reason,” he said.
Prof. Ojo noted that many politicians who attained public office through specific party platforms later abandoned those same organisations, a trend he argued has hindered democratic consolidation and the growth of strong political institutions.
While acknowledging the concerns generated by defections, he maintained that any enduring remedy should emerge through legislative action rather than agreements imposed by individual political parties.
“What could have been done is for the National Assembly to initiate a bill and amend the Electoral Act. But even that could be challenged as an infringement on fundamental human rights,” he said.
He further argued that restricting the ability of politicians to leave a party may raise questions regarding the constitutional right to freedom of association.
Offering a contrasting view, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Salman Jawondo, defended the NDC’s decision and rejected suggestions that the indemnity bond violates constitutional protections.
He argued that political actors willingly submit themselves to party constitutions and regulations when they seek nominations and contest elections under a party’s banner.
“That is not an infringement or violation of a member’s right. There is no right that is absolute. A person can surrender part of his rights by subscribing to the constitution, rules and regulations of a political party,” he said.
According to the senior lawyer, elected officials who benefit from a party’s structure and support should not transfer that mandate to another political platform before the expiration of their tenure.
“If the decision of the party is that if you win on our platform, you will not carry our mandate to another political party, then it is a very good decision,” he stated.
Jawondo also maintained that the undertaking is consistent with constitutional provisions that address circumstances under which lawmakers may lose their seats following defections.
He nevertheless observed that the practical challenge may lie in the pace of judicial processes required to enforce such agreements should disputes arise.
The introduction of the indemnity bond has also generated speculation regarding whether the measure was designed with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in mind.
However, a close associate of Obi dismissed such suggestions and insisted that the policy was primarily targeted at lawmakers and other elected officials rather than presidential candidates.
The associate argued that it would be illogical for a president elected on a party’s platform to abandon that party after assuming office.
“So, I don’t know why anyone should assume it was targeted at the presidential candidate. As a principle he doesn’t comment on matters concerning the party publicly but I can tell you it is in order to stop lawmakers who win on the ticket of the party from defecting to other parties,” he said.
As discussions continue, the NDC’s initiative has placed renewed attention on the broader issue of party loyalty, electoral mandates and the mechanisms available to strengthen political accountability within Nigeria’s evolving democratic system.
