For Oyo State, one academic-turned-politician wey dey inside All Progressives Congress, Dr Adewale Kolapo Kareem, don come out to yarn about im plans for 2027 governorship election. Im tok say im go bring evidence-based governance, wey go make Oyo State return to im ‘Pacesetter’ status for Nigeria. Kareem tok say im no dey see im move from academia to politics as abandonment, but as application of expertise. “Politics na the ultimate department of human affairs; e dey dictate the quality of our collective life,” im yarn. “I dey bring the precision of researcher and the discipline of scholar to this ‘noble’ art of politics.”
For im interview, Kareem yarn say leadership suppose dey for people wey get proven competence and integrity. “Leadership suppose be sacrifice wey the most capable and God-fearing among us go make,” im tok. Im emphasize say governance no suppose dey only for theory, but must show tangible impact for street level. “The dividends of democracy no suppose dey only for journals, but people must feel am for our streets,” im add.
For im ambition to govern Oyo State, Kareem tok say 2027 election go need “unique blend of conscience, competence, and global mindset.” Im yarn say im no dey come with just intentions, but with architect blueprint wey go drive by desire to see Oyo State reclaim im status through data-driven and solution-oriented governance. Im identify education, economic integration, and healthcare as main challenges wey dey face the state, with strong emphasis on reforming education sector.
“We must move beyond enrolment to ‘functional education’ wey go prepare our youth for global economy,” Kareem yarn. “Education no go be privilege for demographic elite, but as fundamental social contract.” Im propose Comprehensive Educational Incentive Programme to address barriers to schooling, noting say poverty remain major obstacle. “We dey move beyond just ‘free tuition’ to model wey go actively reward compliance. No child for Oyo State suppose dey deprived of intellectual tools and access to education for 21st century,” im add.
For transparency and implementation, Kareem stress the importance of data for governance. “We go use empirical data to map out underserved communities and ensure say resources dey deployed with surgical precision,” im yarn. Im also pledge to improve teacher welfare and capacity. “We go restore dignity of teaching profession by ensuring say our educators no only dey properly compensated but dey intellectually motivated through continuous professional development,” im tok.
Beyond education, Kareem outline plans for economic transformation through establishment of Agricultural and Industrial Parks. “This no go be mere collection of farms, but sophisticated, integrated ecosystem wey go design to bridge gap between primary production and industrial processing,” im explain. According to am, this initiative go boost agricultural output, create jobs, and strengthen internally generated revenue. “We anticipate generation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs… wey go provide our youth with dignified and sustainable employment,” im add.
Kareem also pledge to prioritize accessible healthcare, including deployment of mobile clinics and technology-driven systems. For national matters, the politician defend administration of President Bola Tinubu, urging Nigerians to remain patient amid economic challenges. “I no think say dem dey right,” im tok about critics. “Government meet economy for shambles and e dey do im best to address the issue.” Im attribute current economic pressures to global factors, including rising fuel prices wey link to international conflicts. “There dey kind of recession all over the world, and everybody dey affected,” Kareem note. “Nigerians suppose just dey patient with this government.”
As Oyo State dey look toward 2027 elections, Kareem im blueprint dey present detailed vision wey focus on data-driven approach to governance. Im emphasis on education reform, economic integration through agricultural parks, and healthcare accessibility dey show comprehensive plan wey aim to address state challenges. Whether this academic approach go resonate with Oyo voters go dey seen as campaign season dey approach, but Kareem im message dey clear: im dey bring scholarly precision to political arena with promise of evidence-based leadership.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
