Kaduna PDP Picks Lawmaker as Ashiru’s Running mate

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state has nominated Sunday Marshal Katung, a member of the House of Representatives, as the running mate to Hon. Isa Ashiru, its governorship candidate for the 2019 elections.

Before Katung’s nomination, stakeholders of the party were said to have endorsed Felix Hassan Hyet, the state chairman of the party.

However Hyet, according to sources, declined the offer despite pressure mounted on him.

Sources said the choice of Katung who is currently representing Zangon Kataf/ Jaba Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, was made on Tuesday night at a marathon meeting of stakeholders in Kaduna.

Announcing the nomination of Katung as Ashiru’s running mate in a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna, spokesman of the PDP in the state, Abraham Catoh, said the decision was taken after due consultations with party elders and stakeholders across the state.

The statement called on all interest groups and individuals to join hands with the leadership of the party and the flagbearers for a successful outing in the general election in 2019.

Born on April 1, 1961, in Madakiya, Madakiya District of Bajju Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Katung studied law at the University of Lagos.

Before venturing into politics, he served as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation between 1989 and 2007.

He also served as a commissioner for finance and commissioner for water resources during the administrations of the late Patrick Yakowa and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero respectively.

Until his nomination as the deputy governorship candidate, Katung won the recently concluded House of Representatives primary elections to seek for re-election to the House for a second term.