Donatus Mathew, a former okada rider who gained fame after winning the Kaura federal constituency seat with the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mathew had defeated Gideon Gwani, the House of Representatives Minority Chief Whip from the Peoples Democratic Party, in what was seen as a significant upset. His victory was celebrated by many activists in Southern Kaduna, particularly for unseating a four-term incumbent.
However, his defection to the APC has drawn sharp criticism. Stephen Kefason, an activist who initially supported Mathew’s victory, expressed his disappointment on social media. He called Mathew an “opportunistic okada rider” who used the popularity of Peter Obi and the Labour Party to secure the seat, only to “shamelessly defect to the APC.” Kefason further criticized Mathew for his lack of legislative achievements, pointing out that he has not introduced any bills or motions since joining the National Assembly.
1 Trackback / Pingback