Politics in Ondo South has never been a casual stroll; it is a marathon of stamina, structure, and staying power and in this unfolding cycle, one man has proven that he has all three in abundance: Hon. Mathew Oye Oyerinmade — MATO.
What began as a strategic engagement tour has now become a political pilgrimage. From Okitipupa to Ilaje, Ese‑Odo to Irele, Odigbo to Ileoluji‑Okeigbo, MATO walked the ground, ward by ward, meeting the people where they live, listening to their concerns, and laying out his vision. At every stop, the response was the same: readiness, resolve, and resounding support.
The delegation that accompanied him was not a token entourage but a formidable team of respected figures. Led by Dr. Rotimi Wilson, the group included Surv. Niran Akinniyi, Barr. Segun Odidi, Dr. Morenike Alaka, Barr. Segun Ajimotokin, Hon. Orowole Adamson, Hon. Kennedy Peretei, and Barr. Dan Agbede. Together, they engaged extensively with stakeholders across all 66 wards.
What unfolded across these engagements was both remarkable and decisive. In community after community, leaders, party stakeholders, youth representatives, and grassroots mobilisers spoke with a unified voice, endorsing MATO as the candidate best positioned to represent Ondo South in the Senate come 2027. Stakeholders did not merely clap politely or offer vague endorsements; they made firm commitments. Youth leaders pledged mobilisation, women groups promised grassroots energy, and ward representatives vowed to strengthen party structures. It was not routine politics; it was a movement.
The level of coordination and unity across the six LGAs signals more than routine political backing — it is a deliberate, broad‑based movement anchored on shared aspirations for progress. By the conclusion of his tour, one reality had become unmistakably clear: MATO is not just another aspirant; he is the rallying point, the gravitational centre, the man to beat.
The technical strength of MATO’s campaign lies in its clarity. His Digital Innovation Programme is designed to equip young people with modern skills in software development, data analysis, and artificial intelligence. His Agro‑Cooperative and Micro‑Enterprise Empowerment Scheme offers farmers and traders a structured pathway to scale their businesses. He has pledged improved healthcare access, environmental justice, and infrastructure expansion in riverine and underserved communities. These are not castles in the air; they are practical programmes rooted in the realities of Ondo South.
Stakeholders openly acknowledged the developmental progress recorded under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, emphasising that the next Senator must be one who can effectively align with the State Government to accelerate development outcomes. In MATO, they see a leader capable of bridging that gap, someone who understands that meaningful representation requires collaboration, influence, and results.
The endorsements were deliberate and deeply rooted in an appreciation of MATO’s track record, leadership capacity, and enduring connection to the people. Surv. Niran Akinniyi described him as “a builder of structures, not a beneficiary of them.” Barr. Segun Odidi emphasised his credibility, noting that “MATO has shown consistency where others have wavered.” Dr. Morenike Alaka highlighted his people‑centred approach, saying, “He listens first, then acts. That is why the grassroots trust him.”
This chorus of support is not symbolic; it is strategic. Across all six Local Government Areas, stakeholders did not merely express admiration; they made firm commitments to mobilise at ward level, to strengthen party structures, and to work tirelessly towards ensuring MATO’s success at the APC primaries and in the 2027 general election.
In political parlance, MATO is not simply the last man standing — he is the man the people are standing with. He has become the gravitational centre of Ondo South politics, the rallying point for collective progress, and the candidate whose momentum is now difficult to challenge, let alone stop.
From 66 wards to waves of support, Ondo South has found its voice in MATO and in the unfolding story of 2027, one truth rings louder than the rest: the cap fits him, and the ticket beckons.
