From Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani has emphasized that his leadership approach, which is based on inclusivity, fairness, and justice, as well as comprehensive infrastructural development, has attracted former members of other parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Governor noted that as of May 29, 2023, the opposition held 12 seats in the House of Representatives, while the ruling party only had four legislators in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
“However, in the last two and a half years, 10 members have defected from opposition parties to the APC. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had 12 members in the state House of Assembly, but now seven have joined the APC. This indicates that we are running an inclusive government,” he asserted.
Governor Uba Sani declared, “Kaduna State is now one big happy family under the umbrella of the APC. I invite those yet to join us to cross over to our party.”
He made this statement at a rally held at Kafanchan township stadium, where Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Southern Kaduna, and three other legislators defected to the APC. The other lawmakers who joined the APC include Hon. Dan Amos, representing the Jema’a/Sanga federal constituency; Hon. Ali Kalat, a State Assembly member from the Jema’a constituency; and Hon. Yusuf Mugu, a House of Assembly member from the Kaura constituency, along with thousands of their supporters.
With these recent defections, Southern Kaduna, historically a political stronghold of the PDP since 1999, has now shifted to become an APC stronghold, with all elected representatives in the ruling party.
During the event, Governor Uba Sani stated, “What is happening today clearly demonstrates the kind of government we have been running in our state.” He reiterated, “When we assumed office, precisely on May 29, 2023, we promised to be fair to all, to run an inclusive government, and to treat everyone equitably, regardless of their political, religious, or ethnic affiliations. We also made it clear that whether you voted for us or not, we would extend development to every part of Kaduna State.”
The Governor further stated, “I am pleased to report that every local government in Kaduna State is benefiting from our transformation efforts concerning infrastructure development, improved healthcare, and the revitalization of education and agriculture.”
He lamented that upon his administration’s arrival, “12 out of 23 local governments in Kaduna State had not seen even one kilometer of road construction in 12 years. Today, the situation is different.”
“For instance, in Zangon Kataf local government, we are constructing a 22-kilometer asphalt road from Madauchi to Kafanchan, which is nearing completion. God willing, this road will be finished in the next two to three months.”
“From Sanga to Jema’a local government, we are also building 24 kilometers of asphalt road linking Jema’a to Sanga, which is 70% completed,” he added.
Governor Uba Sani also mentioned that his administration is “linking Kauru local government with Kubau local government through an ongoing 28-kilometer asphalt road, which will be commissioned soon. We have worked on various township roads in Jaba Local Government, a local government that had not seen a two-kilometer road constructed in 12 years. We have also constructed numerous township roads in Kagarko local government.”
Governor Uba Sani thanked President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia and revealed that “we are constructing an asphalt road that links Kachia to the university.”
At the rally, Chief Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, remarked that Southern Kaduna, which was exclusively a PDP area, has “woken up to the reality of the president’s reforms.” Gbajabiamila, representing President Tinubu, noted that these reforms have positively impacted everyone, not just in Southern Kaduna or Kaduna State, but throughout the country, adding that the best is yet to come.
He personally recognized the defecting lawmakers, describing them as formidable members of the PDP who have now joined the party that will lead their constituents to success. He commended Governor Uba Sani for achieving so much in two and a half years under President Tinubu’s guidance, expressing gratitude for the governor’s efforts to combat terrorism in the state and for his significant developmental strides.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, described the defections of Senator Katung and Rep. Amos as a “political earthquake.” He acknowledged Senator Sunday Marshall Katung as a man of substance and integrity, known for his courage, intellect, and commitment to serving his people.
