Oyo 2027: “Yesterday’s Methods Cannot Solve Tomorrow’s Problems” — AKK Demands Transparent APC Primaries, Unveils Vision to Restore Pacesetter Status.

Oyo 2027: “Yesterday’s Methods Cannot Solve Tomorrow’s Problems” — AKK Demands Transparent APC Primaries, Unveils Vision to Restore Pacesetter Status.

As the race toward the 2027 governorship election gathers momentum in Oyo State, a leading aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem (AKK), has called for a transparent, credible, and inclusive primary process, warning that any attempt to impose a candidate could fracture party

unity and weaken its chances at the polls. Speaking during an appearance on the popular Oselu Gbode programme on Adanimogo 105.1 FM in Ibadan, AKK emphasized that the integrity of the party’s internal process would ultimately determine its electoral success. According to him, while consensus remains desirable, it must be fair, credible, and widely accepted. If such consensus cannot be achieved in a manner that reflects justice and balance, then the party must not

hesitate to adopt direct primaries. 

A transparent primary process will allow the right candidate to emerge with legitimacy and broad support. Openness and fairness are not optional but essential to restoring confidence among party members and the wider public, noting that only a level playing field will produce a candidate capable of uniting the party and winning the trust of the people.

Beyond party politics, AKK delivered a sobering assessment of the state’s current trajectory, declaring that Oyo State has drifted away from its historic identity as the “Pacesetter.” Drawing from his international exposure and professional experience, he lamented the growing gap between global standards and local realities, particularly in infrastructure, governance systems, and service delivery. He observed that the current environment discourages many Nigerians in the diaspora from returning home, as opportunities abroad appear more structured and reliable. Linking this trend to leadership challenges, he argued that the increasing migration of citizens, especially to the United Kingdom, reflects a deeper failure to create enabling conditions for growth and prosperity within the state.

Addressing public speculation about his motives, AKK firmly dismissed any suggestion that his ambition is financially driven. As a seasoned professional managing a workforce of nearly 1,000 people and earning substantial income outside Nigeria, he maintained that his entry into politics is rooted in service, integrity, and accountability. He identified systemic corruption and outdated governance models as the primary obstacles to development, insisting that the state’s challenges are not due to a lack of resources but a lack of vision, discipline, and modern thinking. This conviction, he explained, is what drives his commitment to a new model of leadership.

Central to his vision is the adoption of what he describes as “Evidence-Based Governance,” a data-driven and scientific approach to policymaking designed to replace guesswork with measurable, impactful results. Anchored on a comprehensive 20-point development agenda, his plan focuses on strategic planning, institutional reforms, educational transformation, infrastructure modernization, and economic expansion. According to him, the complexities of today’s challenges require innovative solutions, stressing that yesterday’s methods cannot solve tomorrow’s problems. He believes that through disciplined implementation of these ideas, Oyo State can once again emerge as a hub of innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth in the Southwest.

While commending the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, AKK emphasized that real transformation must be driven at the state level by leaders who understand local realities and are prepared to act decisively. He maintained that slogans alone cannot deliver progress, but pragmatic, accountable, and forward-thinking governance can. Reiterating his stance, he stressed that the path to victory for the APC in 2027 lies in credibility, unity, and visionary leadership.

In conclusion, AKK framed the coming election as more than a political contest, describing it as a defining moment for both the APC and Oyo State. He argued that getting the process right within the party would lay the foundation for getting governance right in the state. With a clear call for internal democracy and a bold blueprint for reform, he positioned himself as a catalyst for change, insisting that the time has come to abandon ineffective practices of the past and restore the pride and promise of the true Pacesetter State.