Arise News Director of News and Politics Editor, Sumner Sambo, has criticised Nigeria’s opposition political parties, saying they lack clear ideologies and are struggling to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sambo made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
He argued that opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, needed to do more to build a credible challenge against the ruling party rather than expect a peaceful transfer of power.
According to Sambo, many opposition parties have failed to develop clear and detailed manifestos capable of addressing the country’s major challenges.
He urged opposition presidential candidates to present comprehensive policies on the high cost of governance, the education crisis and the distribution of infrastructure across the country.
“The APC has seen a laxity in opposition political parties. They lack ideology, and the APC is exploiting them,” Sambo said.
He added that elected representatives should remain committed to their parties’ guiding principles and reject inducements that could undermine their political convictions.
“If your elected representatives have ideologies that are driven by the political party, no matter the inducement, they should reject the offers. But there is no overriding ideology,” he said.
Sambo’s comments have drawn attention to the importance of clear political programmes, party discipline and policy-based campaigning as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
