Senator Ali Ndume has warned that Nigerian politicians risk taking citizens for granted by prioritising political personalities and power struggles over policies that address the country’s problems.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, gave the warning during an interview on Arise News while discussing political parties’ preparations and the issues shaping the 2027 general election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) senator said he was concerned that politicians were focusing more on personalities than on ideas, public debate and practical plans for improving the lives of Nigerians.
“I think the politicians are taking the Nigerian people or the public for granted. It’s my fear. I’m so scared of it,” he said.
Ndume argued that political competition should centre on what parties intend to do for the country and how they plan to achieve their promises, rather than on attacks and arguments involving individual politicians.
He observed that both the ruling party and the opposition appeared caught up in personality-driven politics.
According to him, opposition parties often devote considerable attention to President Bola Tinubu instead of clearly presenting their own programmes and explaining how they would address the country’s challenges.
He also cited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying its political discourse frequently focused on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar rather than the party’s identity and policy proposals.
Ndume said the same problem affected the ruling party, arguing that those responsible for promoting the APC and Tinubu’s administration were not doing enough to communicate the government’s record.
“We have a product. The marketers are not honest,” he said, adding that those expected to promote the President appeared more concerned about themselves than about selling the administration’s achievements.
The senator also expressed concern about what he described as hypocrisy among some APC members, suggesting that public displays of loyalty did not always reflect their private attitudes.
He warned that political parties could lose public trust if they failed to demonstrate sincerity and present clear alternatives to voters.
Ndume maintained that Nigerians deserved substantive discussions about policies, governance and solutions to national challenges as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
He said political parties should move away from personality-based contests and focus on explaining what they intend to offer the electorate.