A former presidential aspirant from Edo State, Stanley Osifo, has officially taken a major step in his 2027 presidential bid by purchasing the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms, valued at N100 million.
The development was confirmed in a statement and video by Osifo to journalists, showing him completing the payment and the acceptance of the forms.
Osifo had earlier announced his intention to contest the APC presidential ticket, signaling a potential challenge to incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose growing endorsements within the party have positioned him as the favourite for 2027.
Addressing speculations about his campaign being backed by the President, Osifo dismissed such claims.
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.”
He stressed that his decision to run stems from personal conviction, asserting that, “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.”
Osifo further emphasised that party endorsements cannot override the constitutional provisions guiding candidate selection, signaling his determination to pursue the nomination regardless of Tinubu’s entrenched support.
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