Senator Ali Ndume has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) faces greater challenges from within its ranks than from opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the observation during an interview on Arise News, where he discussed the ruling party’s internal difficulties and the wider political atmosphere ahead of the next election.
The senator said opposition parties might be resilient and vocal, but argued that their activities were not the ruling party’s most significant concern.
According to him, political parties in Nigeria often share similar backgrounds, with their differences revolving largely around platforms and the struggle for political power.
He criticised the tendency among politicians to focus on individuals rather than policy ideas, public debates and practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
Ndume said he shared concerns raised by Vice-President Kashim Shettima about the APC’s internal situation, suggesting that the party needed to address its problems instead of concentrating primarily on the opposition.
He also questioned the sincerity of some APC members who publicly display loyalty to President Bola Tinubu but, in his view, may behave differently in private.
“You wear that cap in the afternoon, and you trample or you step on it in the night,” he said, describing what he considered a pattern of hypocrisy among some party members.
The senator further argued that those responsible for promoting the ruling party’s record were not doing enough to communicate its achievements effectively.
He described the situation as a marketing problem, saying people expected to promote the party and the President appeared too focused on themselves.
Ndume also criticised opposition politicians for concentrating heavily on Tinubu rather than clearly explaining what their parties would offer Nigerians.
He cited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying its political messaging also appeared centred on individual figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar rather than the party’s own identity and proposals.
The senator maintained that Nigerian politics had become too personality-driven, warning that parties needed to focus more on policies and solutions than on individuals.