A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem, has defended his reported political spending, describing it as a personal sacrifice aimed at strengthening grassroots development rather than a profit-driven investment.

Speaking during a recent radio interview, Kareem clarified that the nearly N1billion he referenced was spent over time since joining politics in 2024 to support party structures and community-based initiatives across the 33 local government areas of the state.

The funds, he said, were used to provide interest-free loans to traders, support empowerment programmes, and deepen political engagement at the grassroots.

He stressed that the expenditure should not be viewed through a commercial lens. “This is not an investment in the business sense; I expect no returns,” he said, adding that his actions were driven by a long-standing commitment to philanthropy and public service.

Kareem also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, pledging to respect the outcome of the party’s candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

“I am fully committed to the party’s democratic process and will abide by its outcome,” he stated.

Highlighting his background in academia and private enterprise, the APC stalwart pointed to his investments in education and agriculture as proof of his capacity to deliver effective leadership.

He urged the electorate to prioritise competence and vision in future elections, warning against decisions driven solely by sentiment.

“Our choices must be guided by logic and a clear vision for development,” he added.