Bomba Dauda
A former academician and politician, Martin Sidi, has thrown his weight behind the second term ambition of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, describing continuity in leadership as critical to sustaining development and strengthening Southern Kaduna’s influence at the national level.
In a statement endorsing the senator’s re-election, Sidi said Senator Katung’s first term in the Senate has been dedicated to learning the legislative process, building strategic relationships, and laying foundations for long-term development projects for Southern Kaduna.
According to him, Southern Kaduna made the right decision in 2023 by electing Katung to represent the district in the Senate, noting that the lawmaker has used the opportunity to position the region for greater benefits at the federal level.
“Term one wasn’t for noise; it was for learning the system,” Sidi stated. “Senator Katung spent the last three years understanding how the Senate works, identifying the committees that influence critical sectors such as roads, power and education, while also building the relationships necessary to attract projects to Southern Kaduna.”
He argued that replacing the senator after only one term would amount to discarding years of experience, access, and credibility already built within the National Assembly.
“We should not change a pilot mid-flight. If we throw out a senator after four years, we throw away four years of relationships, committee access, knowledge and trust. The next person starts from zero, and Southern Kaduna starts from zero again,” he said.
Sidi maintained that a second term would allow Senator Katung to transform legislative groundwork into visible projects and stronger influence within the Senate.
“Term one gave him the voice; term two will give him the influence to push Southern Kaduna projects into federal budgets and ensure their implementation,” he added.
The former academician further stressed that continuity would help Southern Kaduna consolidate its growing seniority in the Senate, which he described as essential for attracting infrastructure, educational institutions, skill acquisition centres and other developmental projects.
“Siyasa ba hauka bane. It is not madness to stop the four-year cycle when we are finally getting somewhere. Senator Katung understands the struggle because he comes from it. Southern Kaduna does not need another learner now; it needs a finisher,” Sidi stated.
He concluded that Senator Katung’s first term has focused on learning and laying foundations, while a second term should concentrate on pushing and delivering tangible results for the people of Southern Kaduna.
