Oyo 2027: AKK support group urges APC to prioritise strategy over sentiment in guber selection
A support group advocating the emergence of Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem (AKK) as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2027 elections has urged the party to prioritise
A support group advocating the emergence of Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem (AKK) as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2027 elections has urged the party to prioritise strategy over sentiment in its selection process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its head, Sunday Ademoroti, the AKK Support Group warned that the APC must avoid repeating past mistakes that, according to it, cost the party electoral victories in Oyo State.
The group argued that ongoing national reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would largely be determined by performance at the subnational level, stressing that state governors now play a decisive role in governance delivery and impact.
It described Oyo State as standing at a critical political crossroads, where the APC must decide between entrenched political patterns and presenting a candidate capable of unifying the party and delivering governance outcomes.
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According to the group, Dr. Kareem represents the preferred direction, insisting that the 2027 contest should move beyond popularity and political theatrics to competence-driven leadership.
It maintained that the state does not lack political actors, but has suffered from a deficit of coordinated, idea-based leadership capable of translating vision into measurable development.
The group further stated that for the APC to succeed both at the primaries and in the general election, it must field a candidate capable of uniting party factions, mounting a strong challenge against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and governing effectively after victory.
It added that Kareem’s appeal cuts across different blocs within the party, positioning him as a unifying figure at a time when internal cohesion is considered critical to electoral success.
On policy, the group pointed to Kareem’s recently unveiled 20-point agenda as evidence of preparedness, saying it goes beyond general promises to address practical governance.
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It cited his advocacy for credit scoring systems to unlock access to finance, fully funded and restructured education, and other forward-looking reforms as proof of policy depth. The group argued that in terms of ideas and clarity of direction, he stands ahead of others in the field.
The AKK Support Group also stressed the need for alignment with the federal government, saying states that key into Tinubu’s reforms will be better placed to attract support, implement policies efficiently and achieve faster development.
It said Kareem’s outlook shows readiness to operate within that framework and give Oyo a governance advantage.
It described Kareem’s political profile as relatively clean, without the burden of entrenched conflicts or longstanding rivalries, and said this makes him a candidate around whom genuine consensus can be built.
However, the group warned that while consensus is desirable, it must be fair, credible, and widely accepted. If such a consensus cannot be achieved with justice and balance, it said the party should not hesitate to adopt direct primaries to allow a legitimate candidate to emerge with broad support.
The group insisted the election cannot be about noise, popularity, or sentiment alone, but about capacity, ideas, and the ability to deliver. It said the political reality before the APC is straightforward: a divided party risks another defeat, while a united and strategically positioned party stands a strong chance of victory.
"If the APC is serious about reclaiming Oyo state, supporting Tinubu’s reform agenda, and delivering governance, it must make the right choice in both process and candidate.
"From our standpoint, Kareem represents a pathway to unity, innovation, and performance. We urged that if consensus can be reached around him, it should be embraced, and if not, a fair and transparent primary must be conducted", the group concluded.
