Sumner Sambo, Director of News and Politics Editor at Arise News, discussed the changing nature of the opposition in Nigeria and the impact of powerful politicians on the upcoming 2027 general election in an interview that aired on Arise TV on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Sambo looked at how big political platforms work from the inside, how important it is for the people to get involved, and how influential prominent politicians are, even when their influence isn’t limited to the party system. He pointed out that party ideology, personal political clout, and regional influence all play a role in shaping Nigeria’s election climate.
“Kwankwaso has always been the reason why most of the parties he belongs to win elections,” Sambo said during the interview. He made the comment while talking about how influential veteran members of opposition groups are and how they may change the outcome of elections in pivotal states.
If you believe Sambo, there are some politicians with massive fan bases who can swing election results for their parties. Specifically in Northern Nigeria and other competitive regions, he said, such figures are crucial mobilisers who may boost party visibility and encourage big turnouts at the polls.
In addition, Sambo stated that in Nigeria, the mix of organization, credibility of leadership, and influence of politically established persons is more important than party labels alone when it comes to determining election success. He believed that parties frequently gain an advantage by allying with individuals who already have the support of local institutions.
In his final remarks, he emphasised that powerful politicians will continue to play a pivotal role in deciding election results during the ongoing political realignments leading up to 2027. His prediction for the next general election is that parties will do better if they can use these figures to their advantage while still being cohesive internally.
