TDThe Nigeria Democratic Congress Polling Units Support Group (NDCPUSG) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)’s newly introduced anti-defection policy.
NDCPUSG described it as a historic and necessary measure aimed at protecting the integrity of electoral mandates and strengthening democratic accountability.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the grassroots support group commended the leadership of the NDC.
The statement was signed by the National Convener of the NDCPUSG, Prince Crispus Amarabhi Ovoh Jnr, who also serves as a campaign strategist and lobbyist.
Crispus particularly commended the National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, for introducing an indemnity policy.
The policy requires all governorship and National Assembly candidates contesting on the party’s platform to sign an indemnity form committing them to vacate their seats if they defect from the party after winning elections.
According to the NDCPUSG, the policy represents a bold step toward addressing the growing trend of political defections that often occur after elections.
The group said the practice undermines the trust of voters and weakens Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Addressing journalists, the group’s leadership stated that the policy should not be viewed as a punitive measure but rather as a safeguard designed to preserve the will of the electorate.
“We stand firmly behind the National Chairman and the entire leadership of our great party for this landmark decision.
“This policy is not a witch-hunt; it is a safeguard against the dangerous trend of post-election political migration.
“Such migration erodes public trust and undermines the mandate freely given by the people,” the group said.
The NDCPUSG also praised the legal framework supporting the initiative.
It cited arguments advanced by NDC National Chairman Moses Cleopas and the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba.
According to the support group, electoral victories secured by candidates are inseparable from the political platforms that sponsored them.
It argued that the NDC Constitution already binds elected officials to the party and that the indemnity form merely formalises that obligation in clear and enforceable terms.
“The mandate belongs to the party and the electorate who voted through that party.
“No individual can separate their electoral victory from the platform that sponsored them.
“The indemnity form simply reinforces that commitment,” the group noted.
The organisation further urged all NDC candidates, elected officials and party members to embrace the policy as a demonstration of loyalty, discipline and democratic responsibility.
“It also called on other political parties across the country to adopt similar mechanisms to discourage defections and promote stronger internal democracy.
Referencing recent political developments in other parties, the group said no political organisation is immune to the challenges posed by defections and stressed that proactive measures are needed to build a more stable and credible political system.
The NDCPUSG reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen party structures and enhance accountability at all levels of governance.
The group described itself as a grassroots mobilisation and advocacy arm of the NDC dedicated to promoting policy transparency, democratic accountability and effective party organisation at the polling-unit level.
