A former presidential hopeful from Edo State, Stanley Osifo, has intensified the contest for the 2027 presidency after purchasing the N100 million nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress.
The development, captured in a video shared by a media aide to the party’s national chairman, confirms Osifo’s formal entry into the race, positioning him as a challenger to incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite mounting endorsements in the President’s favour.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Osifo dismissed speculation that his ambition is being sponsored by Tinubu, insisting his decision to run is independent and driven by personal conviction.
He said allegations of political backing by the President were not new, recalling similar claims during his earlier attempt to contest against former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
According to him, he has never received financial or political support from Tinubu and challenged anyone with contrary evidence to make it public.
Osifo maintained that internal endorsements within the party do not override constitutional provisions guiding candidate selection, stressing that he remains undeterred by the growing wave of support for the incumbent.
The APC has scheduled its presidential primary for May 15 and 16, with the nomination process pegged at N100 million, comprising N30 million for expression of interest and N70 million for the nomination form.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls are slated for February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026, with governorship and state assembly campaigns commencing on September 9, 2026.
