Political analyst and Arise News Political Editor, Sumner Sambo, has raised concerns that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be overextending its political strategy ahead of future elections, warning that overconfidence could backfire. Speaking on The Morning Show on Monday, Sambo highlighted that the outcome of the 2023 general election was far from decisive, with President Bola Tinubu’s victory achieved by a narrow margin. He emphasized that the APC’s current approach risks uniting opposition forces under a single platform, a development that could significantly impact the party’s chances in the next election cycle.
Sambo pointed out that key opposition leaders—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso—each garnered vote totals remarkably close to President Tinubu’s in the last election. Their combined support bases, he noted, represent a formidable challenge if they align under one political umbrella. He argued that the ideal strategy for the APC would have been to maintain fragmentation among opposition groups, making it harder for them to consolidate power. Instead, he believes the party’s actions have inadvertently encouraged unity among its rivals.
According to Sambo, allowing opposition leaders to coalesce under a common platform is a serious misstep in political strategy. “I will just ask that they be not too overconfident of the political process,” he said. “Because if you look at the results of the last election, I think it will be bad politics on their part for them to confidently think that President will just win.” He added that the APC’s tactics appear to be pushing their luck too far, possibly leading to unintended consequences.
Sambo further explained that President Tinubu’s political maneuvers may have unintentionally created an environment where opposition figures are now more inclined to collaborate. “I thought that the best of politics that will come out of President Tinubu is to ensure that these groups—the Peter Obi group, the Atiku group, and the Kwankwaso group—will still remain wherever they are,” he said. He stressed that the current scenario, where all major opposition forces are moving toward a unified front, is a sign that the APC has overplayed its hand.
He concluded by urging APC strategists to reassess their approach and avoid complacency. “I’m thinking the tactics… is being overstretched. So APC strategists need to have a rethink and not be too confident.” With the next election cycle approaching, Sambo’s warning underscores the need for careful, calculated political planning to avoid a repeat of the 2023 near-miss. The APC’s ability to adapt to shifting dynamics will be critical in determining its future electoral success.
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