In a bold move that signals a potential internal contest within the ruling party, former presidential aspirant, Stanley Osifo, has officially purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 presidential race.
The N100 million transaction—split between a N30 million expression of interest fee and a N70 million nomination fee—was confirmed on Tuesday via a video shared by Imran Muhammad, the media aide to the APC National Chairman.
Osifo, an Edo State native, is the first major challenger to step forward despite a wave of early endorsements for the incumbent, President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Osifo dismissed rumors that his candidacy was a “stalking horse” strategy funded by the presidency.
He firmly denied receiving any financial backing from President Tinubu, noting that similar allegations of being “bankrolled” trailed his 2019 attempt to challenge then-President Muhammadu Buhari. “I can categorically tell you that I have never benefited one kobo from him,” Osifo stated, challenging critics to provide proof of any such sponsorship while emphasizing that his run is fueled by personal conviction rather than political puppetry.
The aspirant further asserted that growing endorsements for President Tinubu by party hierarchies do not override the constitutional framework for candidate selection. Osifo maintained that he has maintained a clean record within the party, free from any anti-party activities, and insisted that the democratic process must be allowed to play out.
His entry into the race sets the stage for a competitive primary, challenging the narrative of a guaranteed consensus ticket for the incumbent as the party prepares for its upcoming national convention.
According to the timeline released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the political atmosphere is set to intensify as party primaries are scheduled to run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
The APC has specifically slated its presidential primary for May 15 and 16, 2026. This leads into a condensed election cycle where presidential campaigns will officially kick off on August 19, 2026, ahead of the general election currently scheduled for January 16, 2027.
