The drums of politics are beating once again in Ondo South, but behind the noise lies a clear rhythm, the rhythm of popularity, credibility, and grassroots connection. As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its 2027 primaries, leaders and stakeholders across the senatorial district are increasingly pointing to one name as the natural consensus candidate: Hon. Mathew Oye Oyerinmade, fondly known as MATO.
In a recent press statement, APC stalwart Banji Okunomo Esq. declared that party leaders will work cooperatively with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the leader of the party in Ondo State, to ensure the emergence of “popular, credible, electorally viable candidates” at the primaries. If those words are the compass, then the direction points unmistakably to MATO.
In a vast forest, storms battered shelters, rivers overflowed, and the herd was close to scattering. Many strong beasts turned away, unwilling to spend their energy rebuilding. But one elephant stood firm. With his tusks, he cleared fallen trees, rebuilt shelters, and carried burdens without reward. When the herd gathered to choose a leader, the wise ones asked: Who gave when others withheld? Who carried the herd’s weight without complaint? The answer was clear. The elephant was chosen.
MATO’s journey in Ondo South. He stood firm when others faltered. When the party’s structures weakened, he rebuilt them. When morale was low, he invested his own resources to revive activities. His loyalty to the APC has been tested and proven. He renovated secretariats, supported party officers, and ensured that the party’s presence in Ondo South did not fade.
Beyond party politics, MATO has consistently shown compassion to the people. He has paid hospital bills, supported education, and provided relief to families in need. His generosity is not occasional; it is continuous, reflecting his philosophy that leadership is service.
MATO’s popularity is rooted in genuine grassroots engagement. He has toured communities, interacted directly with the people, and built trust through consistent presence. His name resonates across Ondo South not because of propaganda, but because of lived experiences of his support and dedication. Stakeholders recall that he was runner‑up in the APC senatorial primary in 2022, a contest that proved his strength and acceptability. Rather than retreat, he consolidated his structures and expanded his reach.
Stakeholders argue that if APC leaders engage in thorough consultation, they will discover that no aspirant comes close to MATO in terms of loyalty, commitment, and popularity. His candidacy is not about noise; it is about substance. It is not about ambition alone; it is about credibility and connection.
As one APC stalwart put it: “We cannot afford to gamble with this seat. MATO is the stabilising force, the people’s compass, and the candidate who can deliver victory before 12 pm on election day.”
The APC in Ondo South faces a critical choice in the forthcoming primaries. If loyalty to the party, commitment to the welfare of the people, and popularity in the Senatorial District are the yardsticks, then no aspirant comes close to MATO. Like the elephant in the parable, he carried the burdens of the herd without reward, gave when others withheld, and stood firm when the structure was weak.
For fairness, equity, and justice, the APC must recognize that the time has come for MATO to fly its flag in the Ondo South Senatorial election. His rhythm endures, his popularity is unmatched, and his credibility makes him the consensus choice.
