Sambo calls for political reforms, says Tinubu-Atiku rivalrya distraction

As political campaigns ahead of the next election season gather momentum, Arise News Political Editor Sumner Sambo has urged Nigerians to shift their attention from the recurring political rivalry between President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to issues that directly affect citizens’ welfare and the nation’s future.

Speaking on Monday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Sambo argued that the country’s political discourse has become consumed by personality clashes at the expense of conversations about governance, accountability, and reforms capable of improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, allegations of large-scale embezzlement of public funds, rising poverty, the growing population of out-of-school children, and the high cost of governance deserve greater national attention than political feuds between leading politicians.

Sambo noted that while disagreements between Tinubu and Atiku have dominated public discussions for years, they have done little to address the structural challenges confronting Nigeria.

“Tinubu and Atiku’s disputes are distracting us a lot,” he said.

Referring to comments made by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during a previous engagement, Sambo said the issues that should dominate national conversations are largely being overlooked.

“You listened to Peter Obi yesterday when he made it clear that the issues that should dominate our attention as Nigerians are not being discussed,” he said.

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He lamented that reports of massive public fund misappropriation continue to emerge while millions of Nigerians struggle with poverty and inadequate public services.

“We just had the guests who talked about huge, humongous amounts that should have been going to people on the streets, poor people. Allegations of embezzlement here and there. Those are the issues that we should be looking at,” Sambo stated.

The veteran political analyst observed that the long-running exchanges between Tinubu and Atiku have repeatedly diverted public attention from critical governance questions that should shape electoral choices.

“Atiku and Tinubu’s disputes seem to be diverting our attention. These are issues that have been on the burner for the past 10 to 15 years in our electoral process,” he added.

With the official campaign season scheduled to begin on August 19, Sambo challenged political parties and candidates to move beyond rhetoric and present practical solutions to Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic and governance challenges.

He said voters should demand concrete policy proposals rather than political attacks, urging candidates to explain how they intend to improve governance, strengthen institutions, reduce wasteful government spending, and expand access to quality education.

“The central message should be: What can you do better than President Tinubu has done, or what will President Tinubu do better than he did in his first term?” he said.

Sambo also called for far-reaching political reforms and restructuring, arguing that Nigeria’s democratic system requires institutional changes that will deliver better governance and greater accountability regardless of who occupies the presidency after the elections.

“And as I said previously, I want us to focus on political reforms in the second administration of Tinubu if he does win, or any other president that’s coming. Let’s do political restructuring of the country that will help Nigerians much better,” he concluded.

His remarks come as political parties prepare for the commencement of campaigns, with analysts expecting debates over economic management, security, anti-corruption measures, constitutional reforms, and social welfare to feature prominently in the race for Nigeria’s highest office.