BREAKING: APC Chieftain Joins Presidential Race To Challenge Tinubu

A former presidential aspirant, Stanley Osifo, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, setting up a potential challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite growing endorsements backing the incumbent.

Osifo made the declaration on Monday at a press conference in Abuja, where he announced plans to purchase the party’s ₦100 million nomination and expression of interest forms ahead of the scheduled primaries.

His move comes amid a growing consensus within the ruling party, with all 22 APC governors endorsing Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 election, a development that has gained momentum since May 2025.

Addressing speculation about his political backing, Osifo denied claims that his ambition is being sponsored by the president.

He said it is common for people to suggest that Tinubu is backing his ambition, recalling similar claims when he sought to run against Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, but insisted he has never received financial support from the president and challenged anyone with proof to present it publicly.

He stated that his decision to contest is driven by personal conviction, adding that he has not been found wanting or sanctioned for anti-party activities.

Osifo maintained that endorsements by party leaders do not override constitutional provisions guiding candidate selection, stressing that he remains undeterred by the growing support for Tinubu within the party.

He said he is not opposed to endorsements by governors or party leaders but emphasised that every aspirant has a constitutional right to pursue political ambition without intimidation.

He added that neither the party constitution nor the Nigerian constitution recognises endorsement as an automatic pathway to candidacy.

According to him, the APC constitution allows any qualified aspirant to contest, while the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission also support the right of individuals to vie for elective positions.

The APC has fixed its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, with nomination forms pegged at ₦100 million, comprising ₦30 million for expression of interest and ₦70 million for nomination.

Osifo’s entry into the race signals a potential contest within the ruling party, even as supporters of the president continue to push for a consensus candidacy ahead of the primaries.