Sam Amadi sharply criticises the NDC anti-defection policy, warning the party cannot lawfully stop candidates from defecting if their move aligns with constitutional provisions
Prominent legal scholar Dr Sam Amadi has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress for its newly introduced anti-defection policy, describing the move as a flawed attempt to address a political challenge through constitutional means.
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Dr Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, made the remarks during a live interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday.
He was responding to the NDC’s requirement that all candidates seeking elective offices must sign indemnity and affidavit documents committing to vacate their positions should they leave the party after winning elections.
The policy, unveiled earlier this week at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, applies across all levels including presidential, governorship, and legislative candidates.
It seeks to curb the long-standing culture of defections that has plagued Nigerian politics, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The NDC cannot solve a political problem through constitutional interpretation,” Dr Amadi stated firmly. “It is not possible to lawfully exclude people from decamping if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.”
He emphasised that while parties may seek greater loyalty, freedom of association remains protected under the Nigerian Constitution.
Defection is permissible in cases of serious division within a party or other recognised exceptions, and any attempt to override this through contractual pledges risks legal challenge.
This latest development comes as the NDC, which has attracted high-profile figures including presidential aspirant Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, positions itself as a formidable opposition force.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, has defended the measure as essential to building discipline and protecting the mandate given by voters under the party’s platform.
Critics, however, including Dr Amadi, argue that such policies overlook deeper issues such as weak party ideology, poor internal democracy, and the absence of genuine policy platforms that could naturally foster loyalty.
Nigeria’s political history is replete with high-profile defections, often triggered by factional crises or perceived marginalisation, which have repeatedly tested the limits of constitutional provisions on seat forfeiture.
Dr Amadi’s intervention highlights a broader tension in Nigeria’s democracy: the balance between party autonomy and individual political rights.
While the NDC’s bold stance may appeal to voters weary of instability, legal experts caution that enforcement will ultimately rest with the courts and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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Many observers now watch closely to see whether the policy strengthens the young party or becomes another flashpoint in the run-up to 2027.
