The political landscape of Ondo South Senatorial District was recently thrown into a frenzy following a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court. On 24 September 2026, the apex court delivered its verdict in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, restoring strict statutory regulations under the Electoral Act 2026 in Suit No. SC/CR/495/2026.
As legal analysts and party strategists scrambled to decipher the implications, the rumour mills began spinning. Word spread rapidly across social media platforms, suggesting that high-profile defectors across the country, most notably those in the rainbow coalition, such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ondo South, Mathew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, would be caught in the legal dragnet.
Yet, as the dust settles, MATO remains not only standing but legally untouchable. While his rivals anticipated a judicial ambush that would disqualify his candidacy, Oyerinmade’s airtight compliance with the law and meticulous timing have completely insulated him from the blast radius.
Far from being derailed, his campaign has gained unprecedented momentum, positioning him as the popular choice across traditional political divides, with a support base that now cuts deeply into the ruling party and independent blocs alike.
The Legal Shield: Why the ‘Ambush’ Failed
The Supreme Court’s September 2026 ruling fundamentally restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act, reinforcing a hard rule: political parties must strictly utilise membership registers submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 30 days before a primary election. Any candidate whose name is missing from that pre-submitted register cannot lawfully fly the party’s flag.
Opponents hoped this strict provision would invalidate MATO’s cross-party transition from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP. However, a deeper look at the facts reveals that the MATO campaign organisation did not leave his political future to chance.
The legal framework confirms that MATO completely bypassed the judicial ambush due to three decisive factors:
- Flawless statutory timing: MATO’s formal exit from the APC and his subsequent registration with the PDP were executed well within the lawful window. His name was fully integrated into the PDP’s official membership database and submitted to INEC long before the mandatory 30-day pre-primary cut-off.
- Absence of consequential orders: The Supreme Court judgment was an interpretation of abstract statutory rules; it did not issue any candidate-specific disqualification or individual declaration targeting MATO’s primary victory.
- The pre-election suit deadline: Under Nigerian electoral jurisprudence, a candidate’s nomination can only be overturned through a specific, time-bound pre-election lawsuit filed by an aggrieved aspirant within the same party. No such challenge exists against MATO. Following the voluntary withdrawal of a previous primary dispute in August 2026, MATO stands as the undisputed and legally certified candidate of the PDP.
Why Ondo South Prefers MATO
With his legal status fully secured, the conversation in Ondo South has rapidly shifted from courtroom technicalities to political reality. What makes MATO the standout figure in this race is that his appeal is no longer confined to his immediate party network. Instead, he has emerged as a genuinely popular choice whose support base cuts directly across the political divide.
A significant portion of the APC membership, alongside members of various other political parties, are openly tilting their allegiance towards MATO rather than the APC candidate, Isaac Kekemeke. This unusual cross-party coalition is fuelled by key factors that set MATO apart.
- The Corporate Deliverer versus the Career Politician
Isaac Kekemeke is a veteran of the political establishment, serving as the APC National Vice-Chairman (South-West) and maintaining deep ties to internal party structures. While Kekemeke relies on the endorsement of the APC National Working Committee and federal machinery, many grassroots politicians, the key political actors from the electoral unit to the ward believe in MATO’s grassroots human relationships with the people who constitute the direct electorate.
MATO comes from the executive corridors of the private sector. As an entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Maric Nigeria Limited, with a background in the oil and gas industry, MATO represents financial independence. He has assisted the downtrodden without holding any political position, while demonstrating corporate accountability.
Voters across party lines view him as a leader who does not depend on state patronage to survive. This, they believe, means that his ultimate loyalty remains entirely with the constituents.
- Institutional Philanthropy versus Political Promises
Long before entering the senatorial race, MATO established a reputation for direct grassroots intervention. Through the MATO Digital Innovation Programme, hundreds of young people in Ondo South have received digital skills training and technological empowerment. His senior citizens’ healthcare initiatives have also provided medical relief directly to rural communities without relying on government budgets.
For many voters, regardless of their party cards, this track record contrasts sharply with traditional political campaigns. Proponents argue that if MATO could deliver such extensive development as a private citizen, his impact as a senator wielding legislative influence would be transformative for the region’s infrastructure.
- Breaking Party Barriers
Ondo South has long felt neglected in terms of federal infrastructure, ecological intervention and economic empowerment. While the ruling APC attempts to project unity, with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa repeatedly and openly distancing himself from anti-party activities and denying rumours that he withdrew his support for Kekemeke, the friction within the ruling APC in Ondo State has alienated a majority of its own members.
MATO has successfully capitalised on this situation, positioning his campaign as a unifying, development-first platform that welcomes voters from all political persuasions.
The Supreme Court episode may have been intended by some of MATO’s opponents to create uncertainty around his candidacy. Instead, it has strengthened the perception that he is prepared, compliant and politically resilient.
As the 2027 election approaches, the contest in Ondo South is no longer simply a battle between party structures. It is increasingly becoming a referendum on credibility, grassroots connection and proven service. With his legal position intact and his support base expanding beyond party lines, MATO appears to have turned an anticipated ambush into a defining political advantage.
The candidate who was expected to be trapped by the law may ultimately be the one best positioned to write Ondo South’s next political chapter.
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