APC’s Overconfidence May Backfire as Opposition Unites, Warns Sambo

Sumner Sambo, the Political Editor at Arise News, has issued a warning regarding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its political strategy as future elections approach. During his appearance on The Morning Show on Monday, Sambo expressed concern about what he perceives as a growing overconfidence within the party. He argued that the narrow margin of victory in the last general election should serve as a crucial reminder that success is not guaranteed.

Sambo highlighted that the APC’s current approach could be counterproductive, particularly if it leads to the unification of opposition figures. He referenced prominent opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, whose support bases came remarkably close to that of President Bola Tinubu in the previous election. According to Sambo, a more effective political strategy for the presidency would have involved keeping opposition factions fragmented instead of allowing them to consolidate.

“I will just ask that they be not too overconfident of the political process,” Sambo stated. He emphasized that, given the results of the last election, it would be unwise for the APC to assume that President Tinubu’s victory is assured. He pointed out that the party’s current tactics may have inadvertently encouraged opposition leaders to align themselves under a single political platform. “Talk to me how you would be a very strong political strategist and then you allow all your opponents who had votes much more closer to you in the last general election to all be in one political umbrella,” he remarked.

Sambo further suggested that the APC’s strategies may have overstretched their electoral advantage. He cautioned that President Tinubu’s political maneuvers, while skillful, could backfire if not carefully managed. “I’m thinking that the APC has overplayed itself,” he said, adding that the close results of the last election represented a “narrow escape” for Tinubu. He warned that allowing opposition groups to unite could create significant challenges in future elections. “Because if you look at how close the figures were, you will know that it was more of like a narrow escape for President Tinubu in the last elections,” he noted.

In conclusion, Sambo urged APC strategists to reassess their approach and avoid falling into the trap of overconfidence. “The tactics are being overstretched. So APC strategists need to have a rethink and not be too confident,” he advised.