Stanley Osifo, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially announced his bid for the party’s 2027 presidential nomination.
This move establishes a likely challenge to President Bola Tinubu, even as support for the incumbent continues to solidify. .
During a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Osifo shared his intention to pay the ₦100 million required for the APC’s “nomination and expression of interest forms” in anticipation of the upcoming primaries.
His announcement enters a political landscape where all 22 APC governors have reportedly backed Tinubu as the “sole candidate” for the 2027 race, a trend that has been building since May 2025.
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Osifo addressed rumors regarding his motivations, specifically denying that his campaign is being funded by the presidency.
“It is not strange to hear people say Tinubu is the one sponsoring me. Even when I wanted to run against Buhari in 2019, I was told the current president was bankrolling me,” he remarked.
He further clarified his independence, stating, “I can categorically tell you as I stand before you today that I have never benefited one Kobo from him. Thank God Asiwaju is still alive till today. If anybody has proof, let them show the world. So, I am not worried about such an insinuation.”
Osifo emphasized that his candidacy is born of “personal conviction” and noted that his record within the party is spotless.
“I am declaring interest and running for this ticket because of the strong conviction that I have. I have not been found wanting in any area or sanctioned for doing anything related to anti-party activities,” he explained.
Regarding the widespread support for the President, Osifo argued that political favors do not replace legal frameworks.
“I am not against the governors or party leaders endorsing anybody. I am not out to fight anybody but we all have a constitutional right to pursue our ambitions,” he said.
He highlighted that official endorsements do not equate to an automatic victory, noting, “Again, there is no part of our party constitution that says that if anyone is endorsed, he automatically becomes the candidate of the party. There is no such law, even in the Nigerian constitution that highlights endorsement as a pathway to becoming a candidate.”
He concluded by stressing that “The party constitution clearly states that an aspirant can come out and run. INEC law also mandates an aspirant to vie for the ticket of any political office he qualifies for.”
The APC has scheduled its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, with the total cost for contestants set at ₦100 million, which includes ₦30 million for the “expression of interest form” and ₦70 million for the “nomination form.”
