Politics in Ondo South is a long-distance race, not a roadside sprint. It demands endurance, organisation, visibility and the ability to keep one’s ears to the ground when the political drums begin to roll.
In the current cycle, Hon. Mathew Oye Oyerinmade (MATO) has taken his engagement to the grassroots, moving across the six Local Government Areas and meeting communities, stakeholders and ward-level actors. From Okitipupa to Ilaje, Ese-Odo to Irele, Odigbo to Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, the conversation has increasingly revolved around consultation, accessibility and the search for effective representation.
What appears to be emerging from that movement is a wider political conversation around a rainbow coalition—different colours, interests and political tendencies finding room under one canopy.
MATO’s supporters point to his relationships across the various communities of Ondo South, including Ilaje, Ikale, Apoi, Odigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Ijaw communities. In the rough-and-tumble of politics, relationships are not built overnight, and the presence of traditional rulers, youths, stakeholders and political actors in the conversation gives the emerging coalition idea a distinctly grassroots flavour.
But political mileage means little if it cannot eventually translate into mileage for the people. MATO’s proposed Digital Innovation Programme is targeted at equipping young people with modern skills, including software development and data analysis, while his proposed Agro-Cooperative and Micro-Enterprise Empowerment Scheme seeks to support farmers and traders in expanding their economic activities.
His proposed regular engagement with constituents and stakeholders is similarly designed to identify pressing needs and guide development priorities. The philosophy is straightforward: political capital should ultimately become community capital.
From 66 wards to the wider political landscape, the MATO conversation is becoming part of a larger debate about accessibility, grassroots connection, development and representation.
In politics, alliances can shift, colours can change and yesterday’s strangers can become tomorrow’s partners. As the saying goes, “The person wearing the shoe knows where it pinches.” Ultimately, however, every political proposition must meet the people at the ballot box, where the electorate has the final say.
Different Platforms, One Mission; MATO for Senate in PDP, PBAT for President in APC – Two Paths, One Victory, Same Day.
©️MATO Strategic Media Team