Kano NDC urges senator not to leave for APC

The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Kano State, Hussaini Mairiga, has asked the party’s only senator, Rufai Hanga, to stay with the party. This comes amid rumors that he and former Senator Kabiru Gaya might join the All Progressives Congress.

Mairiga made the request in an interview with PUNCH on Tuesday. He stressed that both politicians are key members of the NDC and should not be tempted to leave.

He stated that neither Hanga nor Gaya has officially said they want to quit the NDC.
“As of today, none of them has submitted a resignation letter to me as the state chairman. They are still members of our party,” he said.

This appeal follows increasing rumors about the political paths of the two Kano politicians. They recently attended high-profile meetings with APC leaders. On Sunday, Hanga and Gaya met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. The meeting was led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

The two also had separate meetings with the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda. This has raised concerns about them possibly switching to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rumors grew after Hanga reportedly lost the party’s consensus ticket for the 2027 Kano Central Senatorial District to former Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. Gawuna had been the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 election. He moved from the APC to the African Democratic Congress before later joining the NDC along with the party’s national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Gaya also reportedly lost the party’s consensus ticket for Kano South. Political watchers believe these losses may have added to the defection rumors.

Despite all the talks, neither Hanga nor Gaya has publicly said they are leaving the NDC. The party has also confirmed that both remain its members.

Mairiga claimed that the APC is actively trying to recruit the duo. He accused the party’s former National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, of leading this effort.

“They are not the ones pursuing the APC. It is the APC that is pursuing them. Ganduje is the mastermind of what is happening, but we are still together with them in the NDC,” Mairiga said.

Mairiga encouraged Hanga and Gaya to express any issues they have through the party’s internal channels instead of thinking about leaving.

“If they have any complaints, they should sit down with our leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and discuss the issues. That is the proper thing to do,” he said.

Hanga, who represents Kano Central in the Senate, is currently the only serving senator from Kano in the NDC. Gaya, a former governor and senator, is still an influential political figure in the state.

If they decide to leave, it would be a blow to the NDC’s strength in Kano as the 2027 general elections approach.

Mairiga also warned against actions that could weaken the party in future political battles, saying that defection could have lasting effects.

He added that if Hanga joins the APC, he might not support former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau’s bid for the Kano Central Senatorial District. Instead, he might engage in actions against the party.

“I want to appeal to them not to allow some unscrupulous elements to push them into making a mistake they will later regret. We value them as leaders of the party and hope they will remain with us,” he concluded.