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The Labour Party and the Action Democratic Party (ADP) have finalized discussions to jointly convene a conference of political parties aimed at building consensus candidacy and coordinating voter education, campaigns and grassroots mobilization ahead of future elections in Nigeria.

The initiative, according to the parties, will commence with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, and will later extend to the Osun State governorship election fixed for August 8, 2026.

The proposed framework, known as the Ballot Alliance for Good Governance (BAFOGG), was unveiled during an inaugural consultation held in Abuja. The meeting brought together representatives of the Labour Party’s Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) founders and statutory National Executive Council, led by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Prince Tony Akeni, and the ADP, represented by Hon. Chinazam Ike.

Briefing journalists, Prince Akeni described the Ballot Alliance concept as unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic experience. He explained that unlike traditional political party mergers, which require changes to party names, constitutions and registration documents, the ballot alliance model is a voluntary agreement among grassroots supporters of different political parties.

According to him, the arrangement allows participating parties to collectively adopt the most viable and widely accepted candidate among their various contenders for a particular election, without relinquishing their individual party identities or platforms. He noted that the objective is to prevent the fragmentation of votes that often enables unpopular or oppressive parties to secure victory.

Prince Akeni further explained that under the alliance, political parties within a constituency would reach pre-election agreements and post-election power-sharing understandings, mobilize jointly and campaign for the consensus candidate with the strongest prospects of winning. Other candidates would voluntarily step aside for the election cycle, while alliance members would collectively protect votes on election day to ensure transparency and the declaration of the true winner.

He expressed confidence that consistent application of the model across council, state assembly, National Assembly and governorship elections would yield diverse winners from different political parties nationwide, anchored on cooperation and mutual goodwill.

Akeni added that the expected outcome would broaden political participation, enable competent citizens to emerge regardless of party affiliation, promote good governance and reinvigorate opposition politics, while strengthening Nigeria’s multi-party democracy in line with constitutional ideals and the Electoral Act.

Speaking on behalf of the ADP, Hon. Chinazam Ike, the party’s National Youth Leader and Chairman of Youth Leaders of all political parties in Nigeria, emphasized the central role of young people in elections. He said Nigeria’s youths, as the largest voting bloc, hold the key to the success of the Ballot Alliance concept and its promise of achieving long-sought good governance.

Hon. Chinazam disclosed that the alliance intends to pilot the model during the February 21, 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as well as the Osun and subsequent Ekiti governorship polls. He expressed optimism that coordinated efforts by youths, party leaders and elders would deliver impressive outcomes and breathe new life into Nigeria’s multi-party system.

He also noted that discussions were ongoing among the ADP, Labour Party and other political parties to convene the BAFOGG conference early in the new year to advance the initiative.

According to Hon. Chinazam, the alliance is designed to be inclusive, with no political party excluded, including the ruling APC and PDP. He explained that the principle behind the initiative recognizes that effective and ineffective leaders exist across all parties.

He stated that any candidate, regardless of party affiliation, who demonstrates strong performance and delivers tangible development to constituents could be adopted and supported by the alliance for re-election under the BAFOGG framework.

Hon. Chinazam concluded that the overarching goal of the Ballot Alliance is to ensure the emergence of public office holders across Nigeria who are genuinely committed to good governance, irrespective of their political party backgrounds.

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