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

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

His announcement comes amid widespread support within the ruling party, where all 22 APC governors have reportedly endorsed President Tinubu as the party’s preferred candidate for the 2027 general election.

Speaking at the briefing, Osifo dismissed claims that his ambition was being sponsored by the President or any political bloc within the party.

He said he had never received financial or political backing from Tinubu and insisted that his decision to run was based on personal conviction.
 

According to him, he is not deterred by the endorsements already being made within the party structure, stressing that every aspirant has a constitutional right to contest for elective office.

Osifo argued that endorsements do not automatically translate into candidacy under either the APC constitution or Nigeria’s electoral laws.

He maintained that the party’s primary election process remains open to all qualified aspirants, regardless of internal endorsements.

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

Osifo’s declaration adds to early political activity within the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections, even as efforts continue within APC leadership circles to build consensus around President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.