According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper on Thursday, 21 May, 2026, In the bustling streets of Southern Kaduna, where commercial motorcyclists (popularly known as okada riders) navigate dusty roads in search of daily survival, few could have imagined that one of their own would one day ascend to Nigeria’s Green Chamber.
Yet, that is precisely the remarkable story of Hon. Donatus Mathew until recent political realities brought his legislative journey to an abrupt end.
Born in 1988 in Kpak, Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mathew’s early life embodied the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
Before entering formal politics, he earned a living as a commercial motorcycle rider, a trade he openly embraced with pride.
His humility and grassroots connection resonated deeply during the 2023 general elections, when he rode the wave of the Labour Party’s “Obidient” movement to a stunning upset victory.
Representing the Kaura Federal Constituency, Mathew defeated a four term incumbent, Hon. Gideon Lucas Gwani of the PDP, polling 10,508 votes in a tightly contested race.
His triumph was celebrated nationwide as a powerful symbol of grassroots democracy and the potential for ordinary citizens to break into Nigeria’s political elite.
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