By Bomba Dauda
The political atmosphere in Kaduna South Senatorial District and across Southern Kaduna has been charged in recent days following the defection of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). While reactions continue to trail the development, a prominent Southern Kaduna leader, Dr. Gad Zanang Ezekiel, has described the move as a strategic and courageous decision aimed at inclusion, not betrayal.
In a statement released under the banner of the Vanguard for Peace and Good Governance, Dr. Ezekiel, a former National President of the Baju Youth Association, urged the people of Southern Kaduna to see Senator Katung’s defection as a necessary step towards ending nearly two decades of opposition politics that have yielded minimal results for the region.
“For far too long, Southern Kaduna has remained on the sidelines of national power. We have shouted from the margins and appealed from a distance, yet our roads, schools, and communities remain underdeveloped,” Ezekiel stated. “Senator Katung’s decision to align with the government at the centre is not an abandonment of principles but a bold embrace of opportunity — an opportunity to bring Southern Kaduna closer to the decision-making table.”
He argued that the senator’s defection offers the region a better chance to influence national policies, attract federal attention, and foster genuine development partnerships. “Being in the opposition for 18 years has not given us the leverage to influence outcomes. No region can thrive in isolation; inclusion is the key to influence,” he added.
Responding to critics who described the defection as betrayal, Dr. Ezekiel cautioned against what he called “doomsday politics” and urged residents to focus on results rather than rigid partisanship. “Politics is not about rigidity but about relevance and results. Every true leader must sometimes make unpopular decisions for the long-term benefit of his people. Senator Katung’s move is one of such choices,” he noted.
Highlighting the senator’s record of service, accessibility, and humility, Ezekiel maintained that “defection does not erase character; it reveals conviction.” He called on Southern Kaduna people to rally around Senator Katung and engage constructively rather than resorting to name-calling or suspicion.
“Let us stop the endless criticism and begin to think strategically. The real enemies of progress are not those who seek to align for development but those who thrive on keeping our people divided,” he said.
Ezekiel concluded by describing the defection as “the beginning of a new phase of engagement for Southern Kaduna,” stressing that inclusion in national politics could mark the turning point the region has long awaited.
“History has never been kind to those who oppose progress simply because it didn’t come in their preferred colour,” he said. “Southern Kaduna deserves inclusion. Southern Kaduna deserves development. And this move could be the bridge to both.”
