Edo trader Stanley buys APC ₦100m forms, becomes first to challenge Tinubu for 2027 ticket
Edo State trader Osifo Stanley purchased the All Progressives Congress's ₦100 million presidential nomination forms on Tuesday at Abuja's Sheraton Hotel, becoming the first aspirant to publicly declare interest in challenging incumbent President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 ticket. He completed the purchase just hours after Tinubu's allies, including House member James Faleke, secured the same forms for the president ahead of the APC's May 23 presidential primary.
Stanley, who described himself as a trader, pushed back against suggestions of Tinubu's sponsorship during an earlier Abuja press conference, stating: "It is not strange to hear people say Tinubu is the one sponsoring me… I can categorically tell you that I have never benefited one kobo from him. If anybody has proof, let them show the world." He cited APC constitution and electoral laws guaranteeing qualified members' right to contest regardless of endorsements.
The APC retained the ₦100 million form cost (₦30 million for expression of interest, ₦70 million for nomination) from 2023 levels—a sum exceeding Tinubu's total four-year basic salary and representing over 1,000 times Nigeria's ₦77,000 monthly minimum wage. While Tinubu enjoys widespread APC gubernatorial endorsements and was adopted as the party's preferred candidate last May, Stanley's entry signals an early internal contest.
With presidential forms costing this much, ordinary Nigerians are effectively barred from seeking the presidency. Does this astronomical financial barrier strengthen party democracy or simply entrench rule by the wealthy elite?
Replies (1)
Imagine a nomination form costing more than what the president earns in four years—and we still expect good governance.