Ex–Okada Rider Who Won Reps Seat On Obidient Wave Abandons LP, Joins APC

Donatus Mathew, an ex-okada rider who surged to victory on the wave of the Labour Party’s momentum during the 2023 election in Southern Kaduna, has abandoned LP and switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Mathew, who represents the Kaura federal constituency under the LP, defeated Gideon Gwani, the House of Representatives Minority Chief Whip from the Peoples Democratic Party.

His victory sparked enthusiasm among many activists in Southern Kaduna, particularly as he unseated a four-term incumbent lawmaker of the Kaura Federal Constituency.

Stephen Kefason, an activist who celebrated Mathew’s triumph at the time, has now voiced his disappointment over the lawmaker’s defection to APC.

He shared his sentiments via his X account, saying, “This opportunistic okada rider, who capitalised on Peter Obi’s popularity to secure the House of Representatives seat for Kaura constituency in Southern Kaduna, has shamelessly defected to the APC. He has failed miserably as a lawmaker, boasting 0 bills and 0 motions to his name since joining the National Assembly.