By Desire Emmanuel
A presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, May 9, said nothing, including financial inducement or threats, will make him step down for President Bola Tinubu, saying he is the best to fly the party’s flag during the 2027 general election.
The aspirant, Stanley Osifo, said he was prepared for the race and will never step down ahead of the presidential primary of the party scheduled for May 23.
Osifo made the vow after he was screened by members of the APC National Working Committee at Plateau State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
The National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru had during the week disclosed that the party’s national leadership had adopted direct primary for the emergence of the presidential candidate of the party.
Osifo disclosed that he has been under pressure for some time over his presidential ambition, adding that he was even asked pointedly by the APC NWC why he was challenging President Tinubu for the ticket.
Asked if he would eventually withdraw from the race if asked by the party stakeholders, the aspirant said: “When your eyes are on the plough, you move on. You don’t look back.”
Prodded further to clarify if he would eventually succumb to overtures by the party stakeholders, Osifo said that “the party has not told anyone to step down. The party has not mentioned anything like that.”
“We have not discussed stepping down. I have never discussed anything about stepping down with anybody.”
