Senator Rufai Sani Hanga has denied reports linking him with a move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting he remains a committed member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) despite recent speculation triggered by his meetings with President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders.
Rumours of Hanga’s imminent defection gained momentum after he was seen holding a series of high-profile meetings with key figures in the ruling party, including President Tinubu, fueling claims that he was preparing to dump the opposition for the APC.
However, speaking during a radio programme in Kano on Tuesday, the senator dismissed the speculation, saying he had no plans to leave the NDC.
“I still remain a member of the NDC and I have not yet made any plans of decamping out,” Hanga said.
Despite reaffirming his loyalty to the party, the lawmaker admitted that he does not believe the NDC has what it takes to win the 2027 presidential election.
“NDC will lose Nigeria. They can’t make any impact, but I’m certain they will win Kano. As for me, I still remain a member of my party,” he stated.
Hanga also addressed his relationship with former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying the two politicians still have mutual respect for each other despite recent political developments.
Speaking on the emergence of the NDC’s governorship ticket in Kano, Hanga claimed Kwankwaso had initially indicated an interest in making his son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, the party’s governorship candidate.
According to him, the message was conveyed through the NDC chairman in Kano, Hussaini Isa Mairiga.
“I bade them farewell and told him to inform Kwankwaso that I was ready to be his son’s campaign manager. Since then, I did not hear anything from them,” he said.
Hanga disclosed that he was later approached by the party’s governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who offered him the deputy governorship slot.
“Although I knew it was a demotion, I accepted, but later I heard that Kwankwaso had made his son, Mustapha, the running mate,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with several opposition figures facing speculation over possible defections to the ruling APC.
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