2027: How APC’s Biggest Threat Comes From Within – Ali Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has warned that internal divisions, conflicting interests and questionable loyalty among members pose a greater threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) than opposition parties ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

Ndume made the observation during an interview on Arise News, where he discussed the ruling party’s preparations for the forthcoming elections and the challenges confronting Nigeria’s political system. He argued that the APC needed to pay closer attention to its internal affairs rather than focus mainly on the activities of its opponents.

According to the senator, opposition parties may be vocal, determined and politically resilient, but their activities do not constitute the ruling party’s most serious challenge. He maintained that unresolved disagreements within the APC could become a more significant obstacle if party members failed to put their collective interests ahead of personal ambitions.

The lawmaker’s position aligns with concerns recently expressed by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who said internal contradictions within the APC worried him more than prominent opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections. Shettima made the remarks in Abuja at the unveiling of the campaign headquarters of Arewa for Asiwaju, a northern political coalition supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Ndume also questioned the sincerity of some APC members who publicly demonstrate support for Tinubu but, in his assessment, act differently behind the scenes. He used the example of politicians who display the President’s branded cap in public but allegedly undermine the interests they claim to support.

“You wear that cap in the afternoon, and you trample or you step on it in the night,” the senator said, describing what he considers a contradiction between the public declarations and private conduct of some politicians.

Beyond internal disagreements, Ndume identified the poor communication of the ruling party’s achievements as another problem. He argued that those responsible for promoting the APC and the Tinubu administration were not doing enough to present their record effectively to Nigerians, suggesting that personal interests had overshadowed the responsibility to communicate the government’s policies and accomplishments.

“We have a product. The marketers are not honest,” he said, using the language of marketing to explain his concern that those expected to sell the party’s record appeared more interested in themselves than in communicating its message to the electorate.

The senator also criticised the opposition for what he described as an excessive concentration on individual politicians rather than clear policy proposals. He cited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that political conversations surrounding opposition figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar often receive more attention than discussions about the party’s identity, programme and proposed solutions to Nigeria’s problems.

Ndume warned that personality-driven politics was weakening meaningful public debate across party lines. He argued that Nigerians should be able to assess political parties based on their ideas, policy commitments and practical plans for addressing the country’s challenges, rather than on personalities, political rivalries and the struggle for power.

His comments place internal cohesion and effective communication among the issues confronting the APC as it prepares for the 2027 general election. With Shettima also calling for unity among party members and warning against political actions that could undermine APC candidates at different levels, Ndume’s intervention adds to the growing emphasis on discipline and cooperation within the ruling party. Ultimately, the party’s ability to manage internal disagreements, demonstrate credible loyalty and explain its record to voters could prove crucial to its electoral prospects.