The two parties formalised a political alliance with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the State House, amid pump and pageantry. Kandeh has been a thorn in the flesh for the president who is not comfortable to have shared a home- constituency with an opposition leader. He had constantly refused to accept suggestions to join Barrow despite many attempts to grab him, notably in 2025, when a deal collapsed in the last minute. Njie further revealed that the plan to have Kandeh and Barrow in one camp has been in motion since 2016, but circumstances at the time did not allow the partnership. The alliance was also welcomed by NPP supporters at the ceremony.