By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila), Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, formally received leading opposition lawmakers and political figures who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among the defectors were Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Hon. Daniel Amos, and several other notable Southern Kaduna politicians, marking a major breakthrough for the ruling party in a zone long regarded as a PDP fortress for over 25 years.
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu on Saturday at the Kafanchan new township Stadium, Gbajabiamila said Southern Kaduna’s decision to join the APC reflected a growing realization that the Tinubu administration’s reforms were positively transforming lives across Nigeria.
“The question Mr. President asked is simple: why this crossover? Why is a zone that stood for decades in the opposition now realigning with the ruling party? The answer lies in the reality of reforms that have touched every family and community, particularly here in Southern Kaduna,” Gbajabiamila stated.
He described President Tinubu as “a leader who thinks not of the next election but the next generation,” assuring residents that the administration’s best efforts were still ahead.
The President’s representative commended Senator Katung and Hon. Amos for their courage, describing them as “not ordinary defectors but men of conviction and faith.” He also praised Governor Uba Sani for his inclusive governance and rapid development efforts, pledging that the President would continue to support Kaduna’s progress.
“Mr. President says thank you for your humility, service, and leadership,” he added. “Go forth and become fishers of men, spread the message of unity, peace, and progress.”
In his address, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the defection as a “political earthquake” that would reshape Kaduna’s political history.
“For decades, Southern Kaduna was considered a PDP stronghold. But today, that claim has ended. The people have reclaimed their power,” Abbas declared.
He extolled the defectors’ integrity, noting that Hon. Amos, as Chairman of the House Committee on Services, had earned respect for his discipline and dedication.
Abbas outlined numerous federal projects in Southern Kaduna, including the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan, and the Military Command Centre in Samaru Kataf, as evidence of President Tinubu’s inclusive governance.
He also announced that the 2025 Federal Budget prioritizes education and infrastructure development in the region, highlighting the creation of inclusive education centres, vocational institutes, and new road networks.
“These projects are not promises; they are investments in your children and your future,” Abbas said. “Under President Tinubu, Southern Kaduna now stands at the heart of Nigeria’s progress.”àààààà
Governor Uba Sani, in his remarks, said the wave of defections to the APC was a result of his administration’s commitment to fairness and equitable governance.
“When we came into office in 2023, we promised to be fair to everyone, regardless of religion or political affiliation,” the governor said.à
He noted that the APC had grown from just four members in the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2023 to twelve, a development he attributed to trust in his inclusive policies.
Sani listed major achievements of his administration, including construction of key roads in Kauru, Jema’a, and Sanga LGAs; remodeling of hospitals in Kafanchan, Kachia, and Zaria; recruitment of 1,800 new healthcare workers; and free fertilizer distribution to 200,000 farmers statewide.
“In the last one year, Kaduna has not recorded any major religious or communal conflict. That peace belongs to every citizen who has chosen unity over division,” the governor added.
The event ended with a resounding call for unity and political maturity as Southern Kaduna leaders pledged to work for national progress under the Tinubu administration.
“The wind of change has reached Southern Kaduna,” Speaker Abbas concluded. “It will not stop. It will only grow stronger.”
In remark on behalf of the defectors, the Senator representing Kaduna-South Senatorial District, Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung, said the move was to align with the developmental strides of the Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani inclusive leadership.
” Our defection was to better advance the development of Southern Kaduna, stressing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani has shown unmatched commitment to the development of our region.” He concluded.
