Governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adewale Kolapo Kareem, has said his ambition to lead the state in 2027 is driven by a vision for the future of the state rather than a contest against fellow aspirants within the party.

Speaking in an interview with Journalists in Ibadan recently, Kareem emphasized that his aspiration is rooted in a desire to advance development in Oyo State while strengthening unity within the APC.

According to him, the 2027 governorship race should focus on ideas, competence and the collective goal of moving the state forward.

“I am not running against individuals,” Kareem said. “I am running for the future of Oyo State. What truly matters is our shared commitment to strengthening our party and delivering progress for the people.”

Kareem, who described himself as a committed progressive and loyal party member, expressed confidence in the internal democratic processes of the APC as the party prepares for its governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 election.

He said he believes the party will conduct a transparent and credible process that will provide a level playing field for all aspirants, whether the candidate eventually emerges through consensus or direct primaries.

“I have absolute confidence that our party will organize a free, fair and credible process that reflects the will of our members and positions the APC strongly for victory,” he said.

Kareem stressed that the primary objective of the party should be to identify the aspirant with the vision, credibility and leadership capacity required to unite members and inspire voters across the state.

According to him, leadership in the modern era must combine global exposure with deep understanding of local realities. He noted that his professional experience abroad, particularly in Australia, has exposed him to governance systems where planning, accountability and efficiency drive sustainable development.

“The challenge is to adapt those best practices to our local context in a way that delivers real results for the people of Oyo State,” he said.

Kareem also highlighted the cordial relationship among aspirants within the party, describing them as respected colleagues who share a common goal of advancing the APC and the development of the state.

“All the APC aspirants are my fathers, brothers and friends. This is not a contest of hostility but a democratic engagement among progressives committed to the future of our state,” he added.

Outlining his vision for the state, Kareem said his campaign is anchored on a development agenda he describes as “Realistic Tomorrow,” which focuses on human capital development, economic expansion, infrastructure modernization and inclusive governance.

He expressed confidence that a transparent process within the APC would produce the candidate best positioned to unite the party and win the support of the electorate in the 2027 governorship election.

“Our people deserve leadership defined by integrity, innovation and genuine service,” Kareem said. “When competence, credibility and vision guide the process, the right candidate will naturally emerge.”