(DDM) — Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed another significant shake-up on Wednesday as the Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Katung, formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, a move that has triggered fresh debate about the future of opposition politics ahead of coming electoral cycles.
The defection was officially disclosed on the floor of the Senate during plenary when Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter submitted by Katung, notifying the chamber of his resignation from the PDP and his decision to align with the APC.
In the letter, Katung confirmed that his resignation from the PDP took effect from October 31, 2025, stressing that the move followed prolonged reflection and was not taken in haste.
The senator explained that his political journey within the PDP had been rooted in the party’s original commitment to democracy, good governance, and service to the people, values he said initially defined his participation in public life.
However, Katung stated that shifting political realities at both the national level and within his constituency compelled him to reassess whether the PDP still provided the most effective platform for advancing the welfare of his constituents.
He noted that while he had remained loyal to the PDP for years, internal dynamics and broader political developments made it necessary to reconsider his alignment in order to remain politically relevant and effective.
According to Katung, the APC currently offers a framework that promises inclusiveness, stability, and sustainable development, qualities he said are critical at a time Nigeria faces economic pressure, insecurity, and rising public expectations.
He emphasized that his decision was guided by the need to better serve the people of Kaduna South, insisting that political affiliation must ultimately support tangible development outcomes rather than sentiment.
The senator also alluded to the realities of political ambition, noting that no politician willingly undermines his own political future, especially in an environment where party strength increasingly determines access to influence and resources.
Observers say Katung’s defection further underscores the growing pressure within opposition parties, particularly the PDP, which has struggled with internal divisions, leadership disputes, and declining legislative cohesion since losing federal power.
Political analysts argue that defections such as this reflect deeper structural challenges facing opposition parties, including the difficulty of maintaining unity and relevance in the face of a dominant ruling party.
DDM gathered that within Kaduna State, reactions to the defection have been mixed, with APC supporters hailing the move as a boost to the party’s influence in the North-West, while PDP loyalists describe it as a setback that demands urgent internal reforms.
The defection also adds to a growing list of lawmakers who have crossed party lines in recent months, reinforcing concerns about ideological consistency and the health of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Some civil society groups have questioned whether frequent defections undermine voter trust, arguing that constituents often elect candidates based on party platforms that later become irrelevant after such political switches.
Supporters of Katung, however, maintain that his record of legislative engagement and constituency outreach remains intact, insisting that his political relevance should be judged by performance rather than party label.
Within the Senate, the defection subtly alters party strength and bargaining power, particularly as lawmakers position themselves ahead of future legislative and electoral contests.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with governance challenges, security concerns, and economic uncertainty, defections like Katung’s are likely to intensify debates about political loyalty, ambition, and the true drivers of public service.
Whether the move strengthens democratic competition or deepens political opportunism remains a question many Nigerians are now asking, as party realignments continue to reshape the nation’s political terrain.