APC Denies Return Ticket to Ex-Okada Rider-Turned Reps member  After Defection from Labour Party

APC Denies Return Ticket to Ex-Okada Rider-Turned Reps member  After Defection from Labour Party

Fresh political developments have emerged from Kaduna State as Hon. Donatus Mathew, the lawmaker representing Kaura Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has reportedly been denied a return ticket by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the next general election.

Donatus Mathew made national headlines in 2023 after pulling off a surprise victory under the platform of the Labour Party, defeating the then-incumbent speaker in one of the most talked-about upsets of the election season.

Before his rise to national prominence, Mathew was widely known for his humble background as a commercial motorcycle rider, popularly called an “Okada rider,” a story that inspired many Nigerians and symbolised grassroots political participation.

In December 2024, the federal lawmaker officially defected from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress, a move that generated mixed reactions across the political landscape in Kaduna State and beyond.
However, in a dramatic twist, reports now indicate that the APC has denied him its ticket, dealing a major setback to his political future within the ruling party.

The development has sparked conversations among political observers, with many questioning the internal dynamics within the APC and the implications for lawmakers who defect from opposition parties in search of political survival.

Supporters of the lawmaker have expressed disappointment over the decision, arguing that his grassroots appeal and political journey deserved recognition within the party structure.
Political analysts believe the situation could reshape the political equation in Kaura Federal Constituency as stakeholders await Mathew’s next move ahead of the elections.

More details are expected to emerge in the coming days as party leaders and supporters react to the unfolding development.