Senator Hanga dismisses APC defection rumours

…Questions NDC’s national prospects

By Musa Baba Adamu

Senator Rufai Sani Hanga has denied reports suggesting he is set to dump the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting he remains committed to his party despite expressing doubts about its chances in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during a local radio programme in Kano, Hanga clarified that he had not made any decision to leave the NDC, putting to rest speculation triggered by his recent meetings with prominent APC figures, including President Bola Tinubu.
While reaffirming his membership of the opposition party, the senator said he does not believe the NDC has the nationwide support required to unseat the APC at the presidential level, although he expressed confidence that the party would perform strongly in Kano State.
Hanga also addressed his relationship with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, stating that mutual respect still exists between them despite political differences.
He further recounted the process that led to the emergence of the NDC governorship ticket in Kano, alleging that Kwankwaso initially informed him through the party’s state chairman, Hussaini Isa Mairiga, that his son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, was being considered for the governorship ticket.
According to Hanga, he conveyed his willingness to serve as Mustapha’s campaign manager but later met the party’s governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who invited him to become his running mate. He said he accepted the offer despite viewing it as a political step down, only to later learn that Mustapha Kwankwaso had eventually been selected as the deputy governorship candidate instead.