A former presidential hopeful, Stanley Osifo, has stepped forward to seek the All Progressives Congress ticket for the 2027 election, signalling a possible intra-party contest despite mounting support for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Osifo confirmed he would obtain the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms, priced at ₦100 million, ahead of the primaries.
His move comes as party leaders rally behind Tinubu. All 22 APC governors have already endorsed the president as their preferred candidate, a position that has steadily gained traction since May 2025.
Osifo, however, rejected suggestions that his ambition is being backed by Tinubu.
He said, “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.
“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.
“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 argued that endorsements by party stakeholders do not determine the eventual flagbearer, stressing that party rules and the constitution allow any qualified aspirant to contest.
“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.
“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.
“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,” he stressed.
The APC has scheduled its presidential primary for 15 to 16 May. The nomination form costs ₦70 million, while the expression of interest form is ₦30 million.
Osifo’s declaration introduces a competitive edge to the race, even as allies of the president continue to push for a consensus candidacy.
