Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s anti-defection oath.

However, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) celebration of the judge’s housing as shameless, emphasising that the action undermines judicial independence.

This was as the APC Good Governance and Justice Forum (AGGJF) warned the party’s leadership against any attempt to substitute candidates who emerged victorious in the party’s recent primary elections, saying such a move could trigger avoidable legal battles, deepen internal divisions, and jeopardise the party’s electoral fortunes.

According to the National Secretary of NDC, Ikenna Enekweizu, the anti-defection affidavit applies only to the party’s candidates for National Assembly and Houses of Assembly positions.

“The constitution says everybody running under the platform of the party has to sign, but the party has taken the administrative decision that those required to sign in this instance do not include the presidential candidate and his vice.

“We are more concerned about those elected into the legislative assemblies who get in there and defect within a year,” he said, adding that “Our main focus is neither the governor nor the president,” Enekweizu said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

NDC, The Guardian gathered, introduced the measure after observing the defection of lawmakers elected mostly under the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, to other parties.

CONDEMNING the celebration of the residential quarters for judges as also an unethical and inappropriate spectacle that further erodes public confidence in the independence of the Judiciary, the opposition maintained that the gesture is a product of taxpayers’ money and should not be celebrated as it was an individual effort.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC said: “Let it be clearly understood: judges deserve decent accommodation, adequate security and proper welfare. However, this must not be packaged as personal achievement of government officials or as favours from politicians. They are constitutional obligations of the government, funded by Nigerian taxpayers.

“The issue is therefore not the construction of the quarters in itself, but the dangerous impression of the executive arm of government presenting itself as the benefactor of another constitutionally independent arm. Neither President Bola Tinubu nor FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is therefore entitled to personal acclaim for discharging responsibilities financed from public funds.”

NATIONAL Convener of AGGJF, Umar Mustapha, stated yesterday that the conclusion of the primaries should ordinarily signal the beginning of reconciliation and preparations for the forthcoming elections rather than fresh disputes over candidates.

“The conclusion of the APC primary elections across the country should ordinarily mark the beginning of reconciliation, consultation and preparation for the forthcoming elections. The democratic process has been undertaken, aspirants have subjected themselves to party rules, delegates have made their choices, and winners have emerged.”

“It is, therefore, deeply disturbing that credible reports have continued to emerge suggesting ongoing attempts in certain quarters to substitute or replace the names of candidates who legitimately emerged victorious during the party’s primary elections,” he stated.

According to the forum, if the reports are true, such actions would amount to a direct assault on internal party democracy and a betrayal of the confidence party members have reposed in the electoral process.