I Can Solve Nigeria’s Problems, Says Presidential Aspirant, Osifo ...Insists Tinubu Didn't Give Him Money To Purchase Forms

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Stanley Osifo, has declared that he possesses the capacity to solve Nigeria’s numerous challenges and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give him an opportunity.

Osifo, an indigene of Edo State, said that he had already purchased the APC presidential expression of interest and nomination forms worth N100 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Osifo dismissed claims that Tinubu financed the purchase of the forms.

“Some people said President Bola Tinubu gave me money to buy the nomination and expression of interest forms. Tinubu has never given me any money before.

“He has never given me any kobo, penny, or pence. I bought branded vehicles to support his presidential ambition in 2023. I mobilised people with my resources to support him then,” he said.

Osifo added that he is prepared to participate in whichever mode of primary election the APC adopts.

“Let us go for primary elections, whether direct or consensus. Consensus is like indirect primary because people would still come out to say yes or no. Both consensus and direct primaries are constitutional.

“I will not dictate to my party the method it should adopt. I will align with whatever process the party chooses,” he stated.

Declaring confidence in his ambition, Osifo said that he believes he will emerge as Nigeria’s next president under the APC platform and appealed to Tinubu to support him.

According to him, he has strong political support across the country, including in the Federal Capital Territory.

He maintained that endorsements by party leaders do not override constitutional provisions guiding candidate selection, insisting that he remains undeterred by growing support for Tinubu within the ruling party.

The APC has scheduled its presidential primary election for May 15 and 16, with nomination forms pegged at N100 million, comprising N30 million for the expression of interest form and N70 million for the nomination form.

Osifo urged Nigerians to support his ambition, saying many citizens are struggling with economic hardship.

“Let the people vote for me because many Nigerians are complaining. I relate with people across different strata of society. I understand both the lower and upper classes, and many people are suffering.

“As a party leader, I know how many people I assist financially just to survive. Some people cannot even afford transportation fares to their destinations.

“There is hardly a day I do not support people financially. The economy is not helping matters at the moment. There is poverty, hunger, and a high cost of living in Nigeria.

“We need to address all these issues. We can introduce price control measures to prevent exploitation through arbitrary pricing of goods. We also need to strengthen our currency and maximise the mineral resources available in Nigeria,” he said.

Osifo also advised the APC leadership to address issues relating to internal democracy, especially in the conduct of party elections and primaries.

“A lot of people in the party are unhappy. During the last congress to elect executive members, many aspirants complained they were denied the opportunity to contest because of consensus arrangements.

“For example, Fubara Dagogo from Rivers State publicly complained that he was not allowed to contest for the position of Vice Chairman, South-South, despite paying for the form.

“If we must adopt consensus, people who are willing to serve the party should still be given the opportunity to contest.

“As we move toward primary elections for elective offices, we must be democratic. Democracy is government of the people and for the people. It should not be controlled by a few individuals who use political power to suppress others.

“That is not the kind of democracy we should practise in our country or within our party.

“When we talk about consensus, we must also consider the interests of those who wish to contest. Many issues must be addressed to strengthen our democratic principles. We should do what is fair and just for everyone,” he said.