Katung wins APC Kaduna-South Senatorial primary amid calls for unity, reconciliation

Senator Marshall Katung has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kaduna-South Senatorial District primary election, defeating former Senator, Michael Ayuba Auta in a closely contested exercise conducted across the eight local government areas of the district.

The Returning Officer for the election, John Laah of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, announced the result on Monday at the collation centre in Jema’a Local Government Area, declaring the exercise free, fair and peaceful.

According to the results announced, Katung secured a total of 7,513 votes to clinch the APC ticket for the forthcoming general election.

Former Senator Laah came second with 1,370 votes, while Engr. Auta scored 878 votes.

The election was conducted in Kagarko, Sanga, Kauru, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jema’a, Jaba and Kachia local government areas, where delegates voted for the three aspirants.

A breakdown of the results showed that Katung recorded strong support across the district, polling 985 votes in Kagarko, 588 in Sanga, 1,348 in Kauru, 815 in Zangon Kataf, 1,029 in Kaura, 1,113 in Jema’a, 570 in Jaba and 1,005 in Kachia.

Prof. Laah commended party stakeholders, security agencies and delegates for ensuring a peaceful process throughout the exercise.

However, political observers say the outcome presents fresh challenges for the APC in Kaduna South, particularly in reconciling aggrieved aspirants and their supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The contest, though peaceful, exposed underlying divisions within the party, with concerns that unresolved grievances from the primaries could weaken APC’s cohesion in parts of the senatorial district.

Speaking shortly after the declaration of results, the Executive Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area described the outcome as a true reflection of the wishes of the grassroots.

He said the conduct of the exercise demonstrated the strength of internal democracy within the party and reinforced public confidence in the political direction of the APC in the area.

Gaiya expressed confidence that the people of the area would mobilise support for Senator Katung, the Governor and other APC candidates in the next general elections.

He also appealed to aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders to embrace reconciliation in the interest of party unity.

“The people have spoken through a transparent process, and we must all work together to ensure victory for our party at all levels,” he said.

Political analysts believe the APC now faces the challenge of sustaining unity across Kaduna South amid growing political competition, as opposition parties are expected to intensify campaigns in the build-up to the 2027 polls.