By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung, has received no fewer than 317 defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The defectors, drawn from Jere North, Jere South and Iddah wards, were formally welcomed into the APC at a ceremony held in Jere, Kagarko LGA.

Leader of the defectors and former PDP Chairman in Kagarko, Hon. AbdulRahman Jere, said their decision to dump the opposition party was informed by what he described as purposeful and result-driven leadership at both the federal and state levels.

He cited the administrations of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Uba Sani as demonstrating commitment to inclusion, infrastructure development and peace in Kaduna State.

Jere further attributed their defection to the performance of Senator Katung, noting that key projects such as the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, had long been agitated for by the people of Southern Kaduna but were only realised under the APC.

“We have watched, we have compared, and we have chosen performance over promises. Senator Katung does not campaign and disappear ,he delivers, he listens, and he stands with his people. That is why we are here today,” he said.

Receiving the defectors, Senator Katung commended them for what he described as courage and political foresight, adding that the mass defection signalled a growing alignment of Southern Kaduna with “governance that works.”

“You have not just joined a party; you have joined a movement for results. You have chosen to be part of the team that is bringing federal universities, medical centres, roads and real inclusion to our people,” he said.

The lawmaker urged the new members to begin immediate mobilisation across Kagarko, calling for full integration of their political structures into the APC at ward and polling unit levels.

“Go to every compound, every street, every polling unit. Tell our people why we are here. 2027 will not be won on social media — it will be won door to door, voter to voter. The work starts now,” he said.

Katung added that the development sends a strong message about the political direction of the area.

“Kagarko has spoken today. The message is clear: Southern Kaduna rewards performance. We will not go back to empty politics.

Together, we will consolidate these gains and deliver even more dividends of democracy,” he said.

He assured the people of Kagarko of continued delivery of projects and inclusive governance, pledging sustained federal and state attention to the area.