Marshall Katung and Shehu Sani win APC senatorial primaries in Kaduna

Senator Sunday Marshall Katung won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Kaduna South Senatorial District, defeating former Senator Danjuma Tella Laah and Michael Auta in a closely contested election held across the district’s eight local government areas.

Prof. John Laah, the returning officer from the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, announced the results at the collation centre in the Jema’a Local Government Secretariat on Monday, calling the exercise free, fair and peaceful.

He reported that voting took place in Kagarko, Sanga, Kauru, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jema’a, Jaba and Kachia, with delegates casting ballots for the three candidates.

Katung received 7,453 votes, Laah 1,370, and Michael Ayuba Auta 878.

Prof. Laah praised party members, security forces and delegates for maintaining order throughout the process.

With this result, Katung has secured the APC nomination to represent Kaduna South in the upcoming general election.

Shortly after the announcement, Joseph Bege Gaiya, Executive Chairman of Zangon Kataf Local Government, told reporters that the outcome reflected the grassroots will and demonstrated the party’s internal democracy, boosting public confidence in the APC’s direction in the area.

In a separate announcement, returning officer Samira Jibrin reported the results of the Kaduna Central Senatorial primary, where Shehu Sani won with 9,105 votes.

Yusuf Zailani received 1,021 votes, while Shettima Yerima, who had withdrawn, garnered 1,253.

Addressing journalists at his home in Kaduna, Shehu Sani thanked President Bola Tinubu and Governor Senator Uba Sani for their support.

“There is no better representation of the people of Kaduna State than me being their lawmaker and Uba Sani being the governor,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to constituents for the opportunity to serve a second term and thanked Yerima Shettima for stepping down.

“Those who did not step down, we should join hands to move the party forward,” he added, noting that the nation faces challenges such as poverty and unemployment.