…declares support for re-election

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Southern Kaduna All Progressives Congress (APC) Unity Forum has passed a vote of confidence on the administrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, declaring its full support for their re-election.

The forum said the endorsement was in recognition of what it described as the administrations’ commitment to inclusive governance, development and the socio-economic advancement of Southern Kaduna.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Chairman of the forum, Mr. Edward John Auta, said the APC in Southern Kaduna remains united, focused and steadily expanding in influence, with increasing support from both long-standing members and new entrants.

According to him, the forum, operating under the theme “One people, one party, one agenda,” convened to reaffirm its confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.

“We have come together to reaffirm our collective faith in the renewed direction of the APC under the focused and inclusive leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani,” Auta said.

He noted that the APC has undergone a significant transformation in Southern Kaduna, shedding earlier perceptions of exclusion and recording what he described as unprecedented federal and state presence in the zone.

“Major roads and social infrastructure are now receiving renewed attention, while federal presence in our area has expanded significantly,” he said.

Auta cited the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, as tangible evidence of the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to Southern Kaduna.

“These are landmark institutions that reflect long-awaited federal attention to Southern Kaduna,” he added.

The forum also commended what it described as inclusive governance, noting that sons and daughters of Southern Kaduna now occupy strategic positions at both the state and federal levels.

“Our people have been appointed into influential positions, including the Minister of Defence, the Head of Service of Kaduna State and the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service. This clearly shows that Southern Kaduna is no longer excluded,” Auta said.

He explained that the developments have made the APC increasingly attractive, leading to the defection of prominent politicians and political structures from opposition parties.

“Distinguished leaders, including Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly and other political heavyweights, have joined the APC with their supporters and structures,” he said.

According to him, the defections have significantly reshaped the political landscape of Southern Kaduna.

“The APC has now emerged as the party of choice in the zone, effectively ending the decades-long dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party,” Auta stated.

Reacting to reports of an impending implosion within the APC, Auta dismissed the claims as unfounded.

“These rumours are baseless and amount to deliberate mischief or a misunderstanding of Governor Uba Sani’s unifying leadership philosophy,” he said.

He stressed that all APC members, both old and new, recognise that personal ambition must give way to collective interest and party stability.

Auta also defended Senator Katung’s loyalty to the party, noting that the lawmaker enjoys a cordial relationship with President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.

“It is well known that Senator Katung holds the President and the Governor in high esteem and has consistently called for unity and collective effort within the party,” he said.

The forum cautioned against actions capable of overheating the polity, urging APC members to resolve internal issues through dialogue and established party mechanisms.

In conclusion, the Unity Forum called on all party stakeholders to mobilise support for the re-election of President Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

“United in purpose and guided by a shared vision, we are confident that the APC will emerge victorious at all levels,” Auta said.