No Nigerian Political Party Matches APC’s Structure, Says Sumner Sambo

The Director of News and Politics at Arise News, Sumner Sambo, has said that no political party in Nigeria currently matches the organisational structure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the party’s extensive political network and the composition of its presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sambo made the observation on Monday, October 19, 2026, during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he assessed the preparedness of major political parties and the challenges confronting the opposition ahead of the next presidential election.

According to the journalist, the APC appears to have established a formidable campaign structure, with influential political figures and an extensive network that could support its nationwide mobilisation efforts.

He pointed to the composition of the party’s presidential campaign council and the organisational arrangements already put in place as indications of its level of preparation.

However, Sambo cautioned that organisational strength does not automatically translate into electoral success, noting that economic hardship, insecurity, political tensions and internal disagreements could affect the ruling party’s relationship with voters.

APC’s Campaign Structure Draws Attention Ahead of 2027

Sambo said the APC had demonstrated considerable organisational capacity through the formation of its presidential campaign council and the involvement of prominent political figures in its campaign arrangements.

He observed that President Bola Tinubu had assembled a team with significant political experience and networks across different parts of the country.

According to him, the party’s existing structures give it an established framework for coordinating campaign activities and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The APC has been expanding its campaign arrangements beyond its formal membership by involving influential politicians from other political parties.

Among those assigned campaign coordination responsibilities are Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Their involvement illustrates how the ruling party is seeking to broaden its political reach through alliances that extend beyond its conventional party structures.

Nevertheless, Sambo’s assessment represents an observation about the organisation of political parties rather than a guarantee of how Nigerians will vote in 2027.

Economic Hardship and Insecurity Could Affect Voter Sentiment

Despite his assessment of the APC’s organisational strength, Sambo identified economic difficulties and insecurity as important issues that could influence public opinion ahead of the election.

He noted that residents in major voting blocs, particularly in northern Nigeria, were dealing with economic pressure, political uncertainty and persistent security challenges.

These concerns could become significant campaign issues as voters assess the performance of the federal government and compare the policy proposals of competing parties.

The cost of living, employment opportunities, household purchasing power and access to essential services are likely to remain important subjects in public debate.

Insecurity also presents a serious challenge, particularly in communities affected by insurgency and other forms of violence. Voters in such areas may place considerable emphasis on the ability of political leaders to improve public safety and restore economic activity.

For the APC, the challenge is to demonstrate how its policies and programmes have addressed these concerns and what further measures it intends to pursue.

For opposition parties, the opportunity lies in presenting credible alternatives supported by clear policy proposals, practical implementation plans and accountable leadership.

Ultimately, the strength of a campaign organisation must be considered alongside public assessments of governance and the issues that matter most to voters.

Internal APC Disagreements Could Complicate Its Campaign

Sambo also warned that internal contradictions within the APC could create difficulties for the party despite its extensive political network.

Political organisations often bring together individuals and groups with different ambitions, regional interests and expectations. Managing those competing interests can become particularly challenging during election periods.

The APC’s broad political alliances may help expand its reach, but they could also require careful coordination to ensure that campaign activities reflect a coherent message.

Disagreements involving party leaders, governors, political stakeholders and campaign coordinators could complicate mobilisation if they are not managed effectively.

The involvement of politicians who belong to other parties also raises questions about the relationship between cross-party cooperation and the interests of APC members seeking elective positions.

These arrangements may provide additional networks for presidential campaigning, but they do not necessarily eliminate competition over local political influence or other electoral contests.

Sambo’s comments therefore highlight an important distinction: possessing a large political structure is different from maintaining unity and converting that structure into effective campaign coordination.

The extent to which the APC manages internal disagreements will be an important consideration as preparations for the election continue.

NDC Prepares to Inaugurate Presidential Campaign Council

During the interview, Sambo also disclosed that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was scheduled to inaugurate its presidential campaign council on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

He expressed hope that the opposition party would assemble a strong team capable of coordinating its campaign activities and presenting its political programme to Nigerians.

The planned inauguration comes amid increasing efforts by political parties to organise their leadership structures, identify campaign responsibilities and prepare for the electoral contest.

A presidential campaign council typically coordinates strategic planning, communications, mobilisation and engagement with different voter groups.

For a party seeking to challenge an established political organisation, the task involves more than announcing prominent names. It must also develop an effective organisational network, establish clear campaign priorities and communicate a credible programme to the electorate.

The NDC’s ability to build an operational structure will depend on its capacity to coordinate its members, establish a nationwide presence and maintain consistency between its political message and its proposed policies.

Its emergence adds another dimension to the evolving political landscape ahead of 2027.

Opposition Parties Face Pressure to Strengthen Their Structures

Sambo’s assessment places renewed attention on the organisational challenges confronting opposition parties as they prepare for the next general elections.

Political parties require effective coordination between their national leadership, state chapters, local government structures and grassroots supporters to sustain a nationwide campaign.

They must also identify candidates, mobilise resources, communicate their programmes and maintain relationships with different communities.

Where these arrangements are weak or fragmented, opposition parties may struggle to communicate a consistent message or coordinate their activities effectively.

However, organisational capacity is only one component of electoral competition. Policy credibility, candidate quality, public trust, campaign financing, internal democracy and the ability to address citizens’ concerns also matter.

Opposition parties seeking to challenge the APC will therefore need to demonstrate not only that they possess functioning structures but also that they can offer practical responses to Nigeria’s economic, security and governance challenges.

A credible electoral contest requires voters to have meaningful alternatives and sufficient information to assess the proposals presented by competing political organisations.

What Sambo’s Assessment Means for the 2027 Elections

The journalist’s remarks highlight the importance of campaign organisation as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.

The APC’s existing structures and its engagement with politicians outside the party demonstrate an effort to coordinate a broad network of political support.

However, the election will also take place against a backdrop of public concerns about economic conditions, insecurity and the performance of government institutions.

These issues could shape campaign debates and influence how voters evaluate the competing parties.

For the ruling party, maintaining coordination while responding to public concerns will be central to its campaign preparations. For opposition parties, strengthening their organisational capacity and developing persuasive policy alternatives will remain important tasks.

No assessment of party structures alone can establish the eventual outcome of an election. That outcome will depend on several factors, including voter preferences, campaign performance, electoral participation and the credibility of the electoral process.

Sumner Sambo’s assessment that no Nigerian political party currently matches the APC’s organisational structure has drawn attention to the ruling party’s campaign preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He cited the composition of its presidential campaign council and its established political network while acknowledging that economic hardship, insecurity and internal disagreements could create challenges.

His remarks also highlighted the need for opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress, to develop effective campaign organisations and present credible alternatives to the electorate.

As preparations continue, the central issue will be how political parties combine organisational capacity with public engagement, coherent policies and effective responses to the concerns of Nigerians.

By Joseph Iyaji
Akahi News