Sen Hanga denies APC defection rumours, says he has no plans to leave NDC

Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, representing Kano Central Senatorial District, has dismissed growing speculation that he is preparing to defect from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains a loyal member of the party and has not made any decision to leave.

Hanga made the clarification during a radio programme in Kano following weeks of speculation triggered by his meetings with prominent APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other senior figures in the ruling party.

The senator said his recent political engagements should not be interpreted as a formal decision to abandon the NDC, maintaining that consultations and meetings with leaders across party lines are part of political engagement and do not automatically amount to defection.

“I still remain a member of NDC, and I have not yet made any plans of decamping out,” Hanga said.

His comments come as political consultations and realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political leaders holding meetings and exploring alliances across different parties.

Although Hanga reaffirmed his membership of the NDC, he expressed doubts about the party’s ability to defeat the APC at the national level in the next presidential election.

According to him, the NDC may struggle to make a significant impact across Nigeria, but he remains confident that the party has strong political prospects in Kano State.

“NDC will lose Nigeria. They can’t make any impact, but I’m certain they will win Kano. This I know, and as for me, I still remain a member of my party,” the senator said.

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Hanga’s comments have renewed discussions about the NDC’s political strength, its national prospects and the possible realignment of political forces in Kano ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Kano Central lawmaker also addressed reports suggesting that his relationship with former Kano State governor and influential political leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had completely broken down.

He said the reports were inaccurate, maintaining that mutual respect still exists between both men despite political differences and disagreements over recent political developments.

According to Hanga, there is no personal hostility between him and Kwankwaso, even though they may not always agree on political decisions.

Speaking about the emergence of the NDC governorship ticket in Kano State, Hanga gave his account of events that he said led to the party’s current political arrangements.

He claimed that Kwankwaso initially considered supporting his son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, for the governorship position and communicated the possibility through the NDC chairman in Kano State, Hussaini Isa Mairiga.

“Kwankwaso sent an emissary to me through the NDC Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mairiga, that he was considering anointing his son, Mustapha, for the governorship seat,” Hanga said.

The senator said he welcomed the proposal and indicated that he was prepared to support Mustapha’s governorship ambition if the plan was eventually adopted.

“I bade them farewell and also told him to tell Kwankwaso that I was ready to be his son’s campaign manager. Since then, I did not hear anything from them,” he added.

Hanga said he was later approached by Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo concerning the Kano governorship contest.

According to him, Gwarzo informed him that he had been selected as the party’s governorship candidate and asked whether Hanga would be willing to serve as his deputy.

“After a few days, Aminu Abdussalam met me in Abuja and told me that Kwankwaso had made him the gubernatorial candidate of the party and asked if I was ready to be his deputy,” Hanga said.

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“Although I knew it was a demotion, I accepted, but then I just heard that Kwankwaso had made his son, Mustapha, the governor’s running mate.”

The senator’s comments have intensified public interest in his political future, particularly amid reports that he may have become dissatisfied with developments surrounding the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

Speculation about Hanga’s possible move to the APC increased after APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda visited him in Kano.

Following the meeting, Yilwatda said their discussions focused on the unity, peace, stability and future of Kano State, stressing the importance of cooperation among political leaders regardless of party affiliation.

“Our discussions were cordial and focused on the unity, peace, stability and future of Kano State,” Yilwatda said.

The meeting generated fresh speculation that Hanga could be considering a political alliance with the APC, although the senator has continued to deny making any decision to defect.

Reports also emerged that Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf met with Hanga in Abuja amid growing discussions about the senator’s political future.

Hanga was later seen at engagements involving Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Yilwatda and other APC leaders, further fueling speculation about a possible move to the ruling party.

The reports gained additional attention after Hanga held discussions with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Despite the high-profile meetings, the senator has maintained that he has not formally resigned from or defected from the NDC.

The NDC leadership in Kano has also appealed to Hanga to remain in the party, describing him as an important political figure and a key member of the party’s structure in the state.

The party’s leadership has expressed concern that his departure could affect its preparations and political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Hanga’s continued engagement with political leaders across party lines has, however, kept the defection rumours alive, particularly as political consultations intensify across Kano State.

The senator’s statement that the NDC may struggle at the national level, while retaining strong prospects in Kano, has also raised questions about whether he could eventually consider a new political platform ahead of the elections.

For now, Hanga has maintained that he remains a member of the NDC and has not announced any formal plan to join the APC.

His next political move is expected to attract significant attention because of his influence in Kano Central and the potential impact of any political realignment on the contest for Kano State and the 2027 general elections.

Sen Hanga denies APC defection rumours, says he has no plans to leave NDC