According to a report by Premium Times, Sen. Rufa’i Hanga of Kano Central, who is a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has been involved in a number of high-profile political meetings, and rumours are circulating that he is planning to switch to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The news follows speculation on Hanga’s political future and NDC membership following his closed-door meeting with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf.
Speculation that the senator may soon join the APC in the run-up to the 2027 general election has been fuelled by his recent engagements.
After his meeting with Governor Yusuf, Hanga spoke out against the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming that Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidates, lack the political clout to win the 2027 election.
Meeting with the governor was preceded by discussions between the lawmaker and Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the APC.
The rumour mill is running hot with the idea that Hanga is contemplating defecting from the opposition party to the governing APC, thanks to the consecutive encounters.
There has been talk of a rift between the senator and his long-time political ally Rabiu Kwankwaso, which may explain his purported move.
Reportedly, their relationship took a turn for the worse after Hanga was passed up for the nomination as the NDC deputy governorship candidate and lost his senatorial seat.
When asked about his meetings with Governor Yusuf and the APC national chairman, Hanga remained tight-lipped, but he did confess to Freedom Radio on Friday that he has lost faith in the NDC’s chances of winning the national election.
Hanga stated in the interview that he has come to the conclusion based on his analysis of the present political climate that neither Peter Obi nor Rabiu Kwankwaso has the necessary amount of support from the country to win the presidency in 2027.
In addition, he stated that President Bola Tinubu is not doing as well as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the North-West and North-East geopolitical zones.
Hanga claims that the president’s popularity has taken a hit due to public discontent with the present administration. He points to insecurity and the economic policies enacted by the Tinubu administration as key reasons for this.
An increasing number of Nigerians, according to Hanga, are demanding a change in leadership in the upcoming election cycle, and this discontent with the federal administration is not limited to the northern region.
Since he had before stated his undying devotion to the Kwankwasiyya movement and accused Governor Yusuf of betraying Rabiu Kwankwaso, his criticism of the NDC’s presidential ticket has surprised many.
The senator, nevertheless, implied that his view has evolved; he said he can see why Governor Yusuf chose to align himself with the APC and remove himself from Kwankwaso; this, he said, no longer feels like betrayal.
He said, “When Abba Yusuf left, if I had followed him, that is when they would have said I betrayed Kwankwaso. I stayed with Kwankwaso and followed him through the nooks and crannies of this country. I was with him. If tomorrow I say I am no longer following him, should that be seen as betrayal…..See More
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