LABOUR PARTY, ADP SET TO HOST BALLOT ALLIANCE CONFERENCE, LAUNCH "BAFOGG" WORKSHOP

 

The Labour Party and Action Democratic Party (ADP) have concluded talks to co-host a conference of political parties for deliberations to adopt consensus candidates and undertake joint voters education, campaigns and mobilization for such candidates in future elections of the country. 

This, they said, shall begin with the FCT area council election billed for February 21, 2026 and, subsequently, the Osun governorship election scheduled to hold on August 8, 2026.

Tagged "Ballot Alliance for Good Governance (BAFOGG)," an inaugural consultation between the Labour Party of the NLC founders and statutory NEC, represented by the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Tony Akeni, and ADP representative, Hon. Chinazam Ike, briefed reporters in Abuja on Wednesday.

"The concept of 'Voters Ballot Alliance,'" Akeni explained, "is the first of its kind in our country's practice of democracy. From Independence till date, there is no record like it," hE said.

"While conventional political party mergers entail mandatory amendment of party name, constitution and other registration instruments with the electoral commission, the concept of 'voters ballot alliance' is a voluntary agreement among multi-party grassroots faithfuls reached by participating political parties. It is an agreement to adopt the most viable, electorates accepted candidate among the candidates of various political parties contesting for a particular office in a given election. This is done without the participating parties abandoning their original party platforms or identities."

The Labour Party chieftain explained further, "The rationale of the concept is that instead of various political parties splitting or fragmenting their votes and losing to an oppressive or unfavourable political party, the various parties in a specific constituency come together and reach a pre-election and post-victory terms of office or power sharing, mobilize and campaign together for the consensus candidate who commands the highest electorate support and potentials to win, while the candidates of their respective political parties volunteer to forego their pursuit in the present season. On election day the political parties in the ballot alliance vote for, jointly protect the votes and ensure that the actual vote count and winner is announced, paving way for the victory of the alliance candidate. 

"It is our conviction that if this model is diligently followed from electoral constituency to constituency, enacting the same accord in council elections, state House of Assembly, National Assembly and governorship elections on the principle of inter-party concord and goodwill, the process will produce assortment of election winners from different political parties in every election across the states and the country at large."

Prince Akeni further elaborated: "This envisaged outcome will subsequently open the political space for the best of citizens to emerge irrespective of political party differences, promote good governance, strengthen virile and purposeful opposition politics, restore and strengthen true multi-party democracy in our country as originally envisioned by the constitution and the Electoral Act."

Speaking after the Labour Party-ADP consultation, Hon. Chinazam Ike, the National Youth Leader of Action Democratic Party, who is also the chairman of youth leaders of all political parties of Nigeria, stated: "The youths are the strength and vanguard of elections. If Nigeria's youths who form the highest blocs of voting populations key into the outstandingly benefits of the Ballot Alliance concept, good governance which has eluded our country for so long will be achieved in record time and sound, sustainable dividends of democracy will be commonplace and widespread within the foreseeable future."

Speaking further, Hon. Chinazam stated: "Our plan is to put the Ballot Alliance model to test using the February 21st, 2026 Abuja FCT council elections, Osun state and sequel Ekiti governorship elections as multi-tier pilot projects. If we the youths, leaders and elders of our various political parties come together and work hard and fast on this ballot concept, we will deliver stunning results and give a radical new lease of life to multi-party democracy in our country. This is why our party, the ADP, the Labour Party and others are now in talks for a conference of the Ballot Alliance for Good Governance (BAFOGG) as early as possible in the new year."

According to Chinazam, "The best aspect of the alliance project is that no political party is left out. This includes the major ruling parties, the APC and PDP. The rationale behind this is that there are good serving elected officers in every political party, as well as bad non-performers.

"So, if a ruling party's candidate in an election is doing well, bringing real developments to his or her constituents, such candidate, whether he belongs to the APC or PDP, will also be adopted to be returned in the polls by the undiscriminating principles of the Ballot Alliance for Good Governance.

"The ultimate goal of the concept is to have across Nigeria elected public officers who are committed to delivering good governance to their people, irrespective of political party affiliations," Hon. Chinazam concluded.