Tension is rising within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as several aspirants for elective positions in the 2027 general elections complain of difficulties in accessing nomination and expression of interest forms, despite the official commencement of sales.
The issue gained prominence on Monday when presidential aspirant Chief Osifo Stanley publicly declared in Abuja that he had been unable to purchase the party’s nomination form despite repeated attempts since the previous weekend.
“I made calls between Saturday and yesterday to officials of the party. The account number required to pay for the form is yet to be made available to me as we speak,” Stanley said.
Sources within the party indicate that Osifo’s experience is not unique. Multiple aspirants eyeing governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly tickets are reportedly encountering similar obstacles, sparking questions about the transparency and smoothness of the process.
A party insider, speaking anonymously, attributed the bottleneck to alleged interference by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, who are said to be attempting to control access to the forms in favour of their preferred candidates.
The source also linked the complications to the National Working Committee’s (NWC) open endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting it may have created additional hurdles for other presidential contenders.
Undeterred, the 50-year-old Edo-born politician insisted that endorsements do not supersede the party’s constitution or electoral guidelines.
“There is no part of our party constitution that says when people endorse the President, he automatically becomes the candidate or remains the only pathway. The constitution and INEC regulations empower me to run. I believe strongly that we all have the right to enjoy our constitutional rights,” he stated.
Stanley, who unveiled an agenda tagged “Metamorphosis 2027,” said his ambition is driven by the need to reposition Nigeria for sustainable development, with emphasis on the economy, security, healthcare, water resources, and regional integration.
He traced his political journey from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2018, through a brief stint with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before joining the APC.
He contested in 2023 and actively supported President Tinubu’s victory, while stressing that he has funded his political activities independently without external sponsorship.
On governance, Stanley commended the current administration’s efforts but called for fresh strategies, especially in the power sector.“Power is the engine room that drives the global economy. We have dams, solar and gas. With more research and the right policies, we can do much better,” he noted.
He also criticised the heavy monetisation of Nigeria’s politics, advocating for a system where competence, rather than financial strength, determines leadership citing examples from the UK and US.
Stanley invoked the legacies of Nigeria’s founding fathers Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo as models of visionary leadership the country needs.
According to the APC timetable, the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms runs from April 25 to May 2, 2026, with submission of completed forms closing on May 4.
Screening is scheduled for May 6–9, while primaries begin on May 15 with the House of Representatives and culminate in the presidential primary on May 23.
The development comes as the party prepares for what promises to be a keenly contested nomination season ahead of the 2027 polls.
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