Arise News Political Editor, Sumner Sambo, has told opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, that they cannot defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with only press statements.

Sambo spoke during the Arise TV Morning Show, on Monday, while reacting to political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that the opposition parties are not doing enough on the ground to convince Nigerians that they are serious about taking power from APC.

According to him, the APC is already in campaign mode and President Bola Tinubu has flagged off his re-election bid in Kaduna, while opposition parties are still issuing statements from Abuja.

"You can't beat APC with press statements. You have to be proactive. You have to go to the grassroots," Sambo said.

He said Nigerians want to see the opposition in their villages, wards and local governments, not just on television.

Sambo added that ADC and NDC must show unity, structure and a clear alternative message if they want to defeat Tinubu and APC in 2027.

He said if they continue with press conferences without grassroots mobilisation, APC will easily retain power.

He advised the opposition to learn from APC's strategy of early mobilisation and massive rallies.

2027: You can’t defeat APC with press statements – Sambo tells ADC, NDC

Arise Television Morning Show anchor, Rufai Oseni, has expressed sympathy for President Bola Tinubu over his performance at the All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign rally in Kaduna State.

Oseni described Tinubu’s speech at the rally as one of the worst campaign speeches he had ever heard, arguing that the president’s aides failed to prepare him adequately for his first campaign outing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Oseni said Tinubu should not have campaigned in Kaduna if he was going to deliver such an embarrassing speech.

“I think that was the worst campaign speech I’ve ever heard in my life by President Tinubu.

“I think it was best he should not have even campaigned in Kaduna, because that was a terrible one for the eyes and for the ears,” he said.

The broadcaster faulted members of the president’s campaign council for allegedly failing to prepare a concise speech that would enable Tinubu to explain and defend his administration’s policies after nearly four years in office.

According to Oseni, the president’s aides should have prepared a five-minute speech summarising the achievements of the administration and explaining its policies to Nigerians.

He questioned why the campaign team allowed Tinubu to deliver what he described as a disjointed and uncoordinated speech at a critical moment in his re-election campaign.

“What is wrong with you guys? Is this how much you are so concerned about just collecting money from him?” Oseni asked.

He also criticised Tinubu’s remarks on the removal of the petrol subsidy and his attempt to blame the opposition for the poverty and hunger confronting Nigerians.

Oseni said the president’s speech lacked structure, coherence and a clear ideological direction, adding that it failed to provide an effective defence of his administration’s policies.

“You just allow a man like that to ad lib at his inaugural campaign speech after four years in office, where he needs to make a great defence, what did you guys do to him?” he said.

The broadcaster maintained that Tinubu’s campaign team had failed the president by allowing him to deliver such a speech without adequate preparation.

“I feel for President Tinubu this morning,” Oseni added.

DAILY POST reports that the APC has commenced its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Tinubu seeking another term in office.

2027: I feel for Tinubu – Rufai Oseni