Honourable Sunday Marshall Katung is the Kaduna South senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming election. In an interview with Blueprint, he spoke on how the PDP will restore lost glory in the state.
Can we meet you sir?
My name is Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung, I was born in 1961 in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, I hold a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) obtained in 2005 and another Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy in 2014, aside from other educational qualifications obtained from different educational institutions within and outside the country.
I had brought my experience to bear when appointed Kaduna state Commissioner for Finance, Commissioner for Water Resources, and later Commissioner for Finance again between July 2010 and September 2013 where my performances till today, speak loudly for me.
What informed your decision to run for the seat of the senatorial position for southern Kaduna?
My decision to seek the Senatorial position for Southern Kaduna Senatorial zone in 2023 was borne out of my desire to serve the People of the zone.
Iam running for the seat not for myself but to serve the good people of the area, with the promise to fight for their rights and also defend them anytime the need arises.
I will work to ensure the people of Southern Kaduna are not shortchanged and that whatever is meant for them, will get to them.
If given the mandate to serve, what are your agenda for the people of Sourthern Kaduna?
Of importance is the fact my passion for Southern Kaduna which is driven by my desire to have a more economically robust Senatorial District that will improve the economic status of the people, is better imagined than rated. This was what I believed no wonder, won the hearts of the people of Zangon Kataf/Jaba Constituency who massively voted me in 2015 to the lower chamber of the National Assembly (House of Representatives) where I did not only ensure quality representation as my primary responsibility, but also magnanimously rendered live touching philanthropic gestures to improve on the quality of life of not only my constituents, but all that came my way.
I have a lot of lined up for the people of Southern Kaduna. I promise to place priority on the Educational development of the people of Southern Kaduna if given the mandate.
Education is the bedrock of the development in any society hence the need to accord it all the attention it deserves.
We the people of Southern Kaduna are a people that are passionate about Educational development, and that is why I have decided to formalized my Educational Foundation.
We will be giving out Scholarships to indigenous students who cannot afford to pay their tuition fees and other things.
Again, we will focus on Agriculture owing to the fact that we have crops that can give us comparative advantage like Ginger, which we can export and get revenue.the length and breadth of Kaduna state Senatorial District as would a contingent of game enthusiasts on expedition. Ours was a contingent of loyal supporters of SMK on a consultative expedition to the nooks and crannies of the Zone
While I was the Member, House of Representatives, I organized a surgical festival for hundreds of my constituents where, free eye treatment and Surgeries were covered for many people. Many people received healings for various eyes ailments.
I will continue this outreach annually if given the mandate, where free screening and treatments for and medical services would be rendered to people.
The people of the area should also expect some dynamism in representation at the National Assembly if Iam elected.
I also want to described my victory as an act of God, owing to the fact that I did nothing special to secure the ticket.
I will come up with a legislative agenda that will incorporate all key stakeholders from Councillors, members of the state and National Assembly to ensure that the zone is first secured for legitimate activities.
I am hereby appealling to the rest of the
contestants to come together and work towards a better Southern Kaduna as everyone was important in the project of moving the Senatorial District forward.
Can you give us hints on the journey so far?
The countless rides on potholed asphalt surfaces that passes for roads and dusts raised by our speeding campaign motorcade as it rolled past hills and lush farmlands of sleepy hamlets, villages and boisterous towns painted a heart rendering picture of zeal surmounting odds, driven by determination towards achieving the set goal of clinching the Senatorial ticket at the primary election. In the end, I won with an overwhelming margin.
How prepared are you for the general election?
General elections now stare us in the eyes. The uphill task of ensuring complete victory for me and our great party has begun.
As we continue our campaigning,, one cannot but add the likelihood of or existence of sweeping undercurrents of institutional compromises and individual skims in the mix. These are expected to increase in forms and incidences as the electioneering processes continue. What Do We Do?
Read the Electoral Act (as amended and passed).
Know your Rights as an Electorate/Voter.
Go back to your Polling Units; Educate Voters.
Canvass for votes; eschew any act of violence or civil disorder. Be firm, vigilant and lawful.
I am appealing to all the people of Southern Kaduna State to vote PDP from top to bottom; ensure victory for all the PDP candidates. I have observed that the people of Southern Kaduna and other Constituencies need leaders that will lead them to further expands the potentialities that exist in the zone.
I am expressing my confidence that the people’s Democratic party will restore it’s lost glory in Kaduna State by winning the 2023 election in all categories.
We all won’t forget the experience that the PDP brought before the last eight years, the difference is very clear.
Your advice to voters?
I am appealling to them to throw their weight behind me to enable me clinch the seat in the up coming 2023 Election. My concern is that, the area which had been relegated to the background, would be given adequate attention to the security of lives and property to guarantee the free flow of legitimate activities.
This race requires God, I also want to tell the people of Southern Kaduna to take into consideration my love and concern for the zone in determining their choice of who becomes the next Senator. I will ensure that I restore the desire unity and peace in the area if given the opportunity to steer it’s affairs.
I am a Nigerian that believes in Moslem/ Christian or Christian/Muslim ticket to give all manner of people a sense of belonging as against what is obtainable on the present administration.
I am therefore calling on the people to rally round me as their next Senator, and I will provide remedy to all socioeconomic and Political challenges bedeviling the area, similarly, I will try and present Legislation that will correct the abnormalities challenging the people.
I am admonishing all and sundry to have their voter’s cards ready, to enable them vote the candidates of their choice.
