No fewer than 317 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday defected to 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 received by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who represents Kaduna South Senatorial District, during a ceremony held in Jere.
The delegation of defectors was led by a former PDP chairman in Kagarko LGA, Hon. AbdulRahman Jere.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Jere said their decision to join the APC was informed by what he described as the purposeful and result-driven leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.
He said the administrations had shown commitment to inclusion, infrastructure development and peace in Kaduna State.
Jere also cited projects facilitated by Senator Katung to the senatorial district, including the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, as reasons for the defection.
According to him, the projects had been long demanded by the people of Southern Kaduna but were only delivered under the APC-led administration.
“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,” Jere said.
Receiving the defectors, Senator Katung described the mass movement as a clear sign that Kagarko and the wider Southern Kaduna region were aligning with what he called governance that delivers results.
“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 senator urged the new APC members to begin mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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 charged.
Katung further assured the people of Kagarko of more projects and sustained government attention.
“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 added.
