Ondo South APC Bye-Primary Election: Loyalty, Commitment, and Popularity Put MATO Ahead of All Aspirants
The Ondo South Senatorial bye-election is a pivotal moment for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party must decide who will carry its flag into the contest, and that choice will shape both its strength in the district and its credibility among the people. If the criteria are loyalty to the APC, commitment to the welfare of the people, and popularity across Ondo South, then no aspirant comes close to Hon. Mathew Oye Oyerinmade—MATO.
In a vast forest, many animals belonged to one great herd. Over time, storms battered their shelters, rivers overflowed, and even the meeting grounds of the herd were destroyed. Many strong beasts turned away, unwilling to spend their energy rebuilding. But one elephant did not. With his own tusks and strength, he cleared fallen trees, rebuilt shelters, and even provided food when others were hungry. He gave without asking, carried burdens without complaint, and kept the herd together when it was close to scattering.
When the herd gathered to choose a leader, some remembered titles, others remembered appearances. But the wise ones asked: Who stood firm when the herd was weak? Who gave when others withheld? Who carried the herd’s weight without reward? The answer was clear. If loyalty, sacrifice, and the love of the herd are the true measures, then the elephant is the one chosen to lead.
This parable mirrors MATO’s journey in Ondo South. He stood firm. When others withheld, he gave. When the party’s structure was collapsing, he rebuilt. His story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering loyalty.
MATO’s loyalty to the APC has been tested and proven. At times when the party’s presence in Ondo South was fading, he invested his personal resources to revive its structures. He renovated secretariats, supported party officers, and ensured that activities resumed. His actions were not driven by political office but by a deep belief in the party’s survival and growth.
Beyond party politics, MATO has consistently shown compassion to the people of Ondo South. He has paid hospital bills, supported education, and provided relief to families in need. His generosity is not occasional, it is a continuous demonstration of 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.
The APC in Ondo South faces a critical choice in the forthcoming bye-election. 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 bye-election.
