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

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

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

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2027: APC Chieftain Boasts Tinubu Will Defeat Atiku Even in His Polling Unit

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7 hours ago

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October 28, 2026

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2027: APC Chieftain Boasts Tinubu Will Defeat Atiku Even in His Polling Unit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

2027: APC Chieftain Boasts Tinubu Will Defeat Atiku Even in His Polling Unit

The Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Bukar Dalori, has predicted that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will lose his polling unit in Adamawa State to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Dalori expressed confidence that Tinubu would defeat Atiku in Adamawa and other states across the North-East, dismissing the former vice-president’s political influence in the region as insufficient to derail the President’s re-election bid.

The APC chieftain made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the graduation ceremony of women trained under the Tinubu-Shettima Village-to-Village campaign initiative.

Responding to questions about whether Atiku, who hails from Adamawa State, could pose a serious challenge to Tinubu in the North-East, Dalori said the ruling party was confident of winning support even in the former vice-president’s immediate political stronghold.

“I don’t think that Atiku can disrupt the North-East. Why? Even Adamawa, his hometown, he will not win, even at his polling unit. I will assure you of that,” he said.

Dalori attributed his prediction to his experience as a grassroots politician and his understanding of the political dynamics in the region.

He argued that the APC’s electoral prospects would be strengthened by federal infrastructure projects, the party’s political structures and the influence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who hails from Borno State.

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Among the projects he cited were the Gombe-Bauchi and Bauchi-Maiduguri roads, the Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala corridor linking Nigeria with Chad, and sections of the Maiduguri-Biu road.

According to Dalori, the continuation of these projects could improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities and strengthen public support for the Tinubu administration.

He maintained that voters would consider the government’s policies and development projects when deciding which candidate to support in 2027.

Dalori also highlighted Shettima’s political connections in the North-East, expressing confidence that the Vice-President’s presence in the administration would help mobilise support for Tinubu, particularly in Borno and neighbouring states.

The APC leader further defended the administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange regime. He described the measures as necessary steps towards stabilising public finances and repositioning the economy, while acknowledging that the policies had generated concerns over the cost of living.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, won Adamawa State and secured substantial support in the North-East. Tinubu won the presidential election despite losing several northern states to opposition candidates.

Atiku is now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), positioning him for another contest against Tinubu, who is seeking re-election.

Dalori’s comments come as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with the North-East expected to remain a key battleground.

At the same event, the National Coordinator of the Tinubu-Shettima Village-to-Village campaign, Ambassador Farida Musa Jauro, pledged to mobilise more than one million votes for Tinubu across northern Nigeria.

Jauro said the initiative would use grassroots engagement and political sensitisation to encourage support for the President’s second-term bid.

The event also featured the graduation of 1,000 women who had undergone vocational training sponsored by Jauro. Organisers urged the beneficiaries to use their skills to establish businesses, join cooperatives and improve their livelihoods.

Dalori’s prediction remains a political claim ahead of the election, with the actual outcome to be determined by voters in 2027.

2027: APC Chieftain Boasts Tinubu Will Defeat Atiku Even in His Polling Unit

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“I Won’t Slap Wike’s Son, I Won’t Kick Seyi Out — But Tinubu MUST Go!” Fayose Explodes

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3 days ago

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October 26, 2026

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Fayose's brother urges ex-Ekiti governor to reject REA chairmanship appointment

“I Won’t Slap Wike’s Son, I Won’t Kick Seyi Out — But Tinubu MUST Go!” Fayose Explodes

Abuja — Isaac Fayose has fired back at critics in dramatic fashion, declaring he will neither slap Nyesom Wike’s son nor kick President Bola Tinubu’s son Seyi out of his presence — but insisting with equal fury that the President must be voted out in 2027.

 

The businessman and younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose ignited a firestorm after photos surfaced of him hanging out with Seyi Tinubu and Joaquin Wike, son of the FCT Minister. Critics immediately accused him of betraying the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

 

Fayose, however, refused to back down. In a video posted on his Facebook page, he threw a rhetorical punch at his accusers: “Tinubu must go. Wike is a land grabber. That doesn’t mean that Wike’s son will come and greet me and I will slap him. Or President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, will come and greet me and I will kick him.”

 

He doubled down on his loyalty to Obi, declaring: “I campaigned for Obi. Do you know how much I spent on the last election? I still support Peter Obi. I still want Tinubu out of power.”

 

The controversy exploded after Fayose posted a photograph with Joaquin Wike, calling the minister’s son his younger brother. The image set social media ablaze, with users questioning why a self-proclaimed “101% Obidient” supporter would be seen with the family of a top APC figure.

 

It is not the first time Fayose has faced such backlash. In July 2026, a video showed him alongside Seyi Tinubu and socialite Cubana Chief Priest at an Abuja gathering where prayers were offered for the President and Nigeria. Fayose dismissed the meeting as a private social visit, not a political endorsement.

 

The latest storm underscores the fever-pitch sensitivity in opposition circles as political actors jostle for position ahead of the 2027 presidential contest. Fayose insists he is drawing a clear line — political allegiance on one side, personal courtesy on the other — but his critics are not buying it.

 

As of press time, neither the NDC nor Peter Obi’s camp has issued an official statement.

 

“I Won’t Slap Wike’s Son, I Won’t Kick Seyi Out — But Tinubu MUST Go!” Fayose Explodes

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‘They Created Hunger, Poverty’: Tinubu Fires at Opposition as 2027 Re-election Campaign Begins

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4 days ago

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October 25, 2026

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‘They Created Hunger, Poverty’: Tinubu Fires at Opposition as 2027 Re-election Campaign Begins
‘They Created Hunger, Poverty’: Tinubu Fires at Opposition as 2027 Re-election Campaign Begins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians, insisting that his administration is working to address the economic challenges as he formally launched his campaign for a second term in office.

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium, where he urged Nigerians to renew his mandate in the 2027 presidential election.

The President’s comments come amid persistent public concerns over rising food prices, petrol costs, transportation expenses and declining purchasing power, with the economy expected to remain a major issue in the contest for the presidency.

Addressing supporters at the rally, Tinubu challenged opposition politicians who have criticised his administration over hunger and poverty, arguing that they were responsible for creating the problems they now accuse his government of failing to resolve.

“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created hunger, they created poverty. We are trying to eradicate them,” the President said.

Tinubu defended his administration’s economic policies, maintaining that his government was taking steps to improve the country’s finances, promote development and create conditions for greater prosperity.

He also commended APC governors for their efforts in their respective states and promised Nigerians improved economic opportunities if he secured a second term.

“To you, the children of our country, we promise prosperity in our second term. You will not regret going to the polls,” he told the gathering.

The President urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the forthcoming election. He also called on APC supporters to vote for the party’s candidates at the presidential, governorship and legislative levels.

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Tinubu further defended his administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy, insisting that the country would not return to the previous arrangement.

“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” he said.

The removal of the petrol subsidy, announced shortly after Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, remains one of the most consequential and controversial economic decisions of his administration.

The government has argued that the policy would reduce public expenditure, eliminate distortions in the petroleum market and free up resources for development. However, the increase in petrol prices following the reform has contributed to higher transportation and distribution costs, putting additional pressure on households and businesses.

The administration’s economic reforms, including changes to the foreign exchange system, have also generated debate over their long-term benefits and immediate effects on living standards.

Opposition politicians have repeatedly questioned the government’s management of the economy, arguing that the reforms have imposed significant hardship on Nigerians without delivering sufficient relief.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised Tinubu’s attempt to blame opposition parties for the country’s economic difficulties.

Atiku argued that the APC had governed Nigeria since 2015, first under former President Muhammadu Buhari and subsequently under Tinubu, and should therefore accept responsibility for the country’s economic conditions during its period in power.

He maintained that Nigerians were experiencing significant hardship under the current administration and urged the President to address the concerns of citizens rather than blame political opponents.

The exchange highlights the growing political contest over responsibility for hunger, poverty and the cost-of-living crisis as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

At the Kaduna rally, Vice-President Kashim Shettima also urged Nigerians, particularly voters in the North, to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Shettima recalled Tinubu’s previous support for northern presidential aspirants, including Atiku in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 elections. He argued that Tinubu had demonstrated political support for northern interests and called on voters to reciprocate.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani also appealed to northern voters to back the President, pointing to federal infrastructure projects, education initiatives and security interventions.

The rally attracted prominent APC figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, campaign Director-General Abdulaziz Yari, ministers, lawmakers and governors.

The event marked the beginning of Tinubu’s campaign for another presidential term, with the President asking Nigerians to give his administration additional time to pursue its economic and development agenda.

However, the debate over the causes of Nigeria’s economic hardship is likely to remain central to the election campaign. While the APC is defending its reforms and promising improved prosperity, opposition parties are demanding greater accountability for the impact of government policies on food affordability, employment, household incomes and living standards.

As the 2027 election approaches, voters will have to assess the competing claims of the ruling party and the opposition against their own experiences of the economy and the policy proposals presented by the candidates.

‘They Created Hunger, Poverty’: Tinubu Fires at Opposition as 2027 Re-election Campaign Begins

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