Nigeria’s political landscape continues to witness dramatic twists as politicians navigate shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
One of such stories is that of Donatus Mathew, whose remarkable political rise during the 2023 general elections captured national attention.
Popularly described by supporters as an ordinary commercial motorcycle rider popularly known as an “Okada rider,” Donatus Mathew emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the nationwide political movement associated with Peter Obi and the Labour Party’s growing popularity at the time.
Against all odds, Mathew pulled off a stunning upset by defeating a four-term incumbent to win the House of Representatives seat for Kaura Federal Constituency in Kaduna State — a victory many political observers described as one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 elections.
His emergence was widely celebrated as a symbol of grassroots democracy, youth-driven political participation, and the growing influence of alternative political movements in Nigeria.
However, the political tide appears to have shifted.
After defecting from the Labour Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Donatus Mathew reportedly failed to secure the party’s ticket during the APC primary elections for a return bid to the House of Representatives.
The development has sparked reactions across political circles, with many analysts pointing to the risks associated with political defections and the changing dynamics of party structures and loyalty within Nigerian politics.
Observers also note that Mathew’s political journey reflects the volatile nature of electoral politics, where public sentiment, party influence, and internal political calculations often determine political survival.
His story remains one of the most talked-about examples of the dramatic highs and lows that characterize Nigeria’s evolving democratic process.
