Senator Hanga denies APC defection rumours, saying he remains in NDC while admitting the opposition party faces challenges ahead of elections
Senator Rufai Sani Hanga has denied reports that he is planning to leave the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains a member of his party despite recent speculation linking him with the ruling party.
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The Kano politician addressed the reports during a local radio programme in Kano on Tuesday, following claims that a series of meetings with senior APC figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had fuelled expectations of a possible defection.
“I still remain a member of NDC and I have not yet made any plans of decamping out,” Senator Hanga said.
While rejecting the defection claims, Senator Hanga offered a critical assessment of his party’s chances at the national level, saying the NDC currently lacks the political strength and nationwide acceptance required to defeat the APC in a presidential election.
“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,” he said.
The senator also spoke about his relationship with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a key figure in Kano politics, saying both men continue to maintain mutual respect despite recent political developments within the party.
Discussing the emergence of the NDC governorship ticket in Kano, Senator Hanga explained that Kwankwaso initially considered his son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, for the governorship position and communicated the possibility through NDC Chairman Hussaini Isa Mairiga.
Senator Hanga said he informed the party chairman that he was willing to support the younger Kwankwaso’s ambition as campaign manager.
“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 said.
He added that he later met Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo in Abuja, where he was informed that Kwankwaso had selected Gwarzo as the party’s governorship candidate and asked whether he would accept the deputy governorship role.
Although Senator Hanga described the position as a political step down, he said he accepted the offer before later learning that Mustapha Kwankwaso had been chosen as Gwarzo’s running mate.
The clarification comes amid increased political realignments as Nigerian parties prepare for upcoming elections, with speculation over defections and coalition-building expected to remain a major feature of the political landscape.
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Senator Hanga’s comments suggest that, despite internal disagreements, he intends to remain within the NDC while continuing to play a role in Kano politics.
