Senator Rufai Hanga, a prominent leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, has openly declared that the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso stands no chance of winning the 2027 election, even as he holds high-level talks with top All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders.
The statement comes amid intense political realignments in Kano State and growing speculation that Hanga may be on his way to the ruling APC.On Sunday, the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, hosted a closed-door meeting with Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, and Senator Rufai Hanga.Famous Quotations Yilwatda confirmed the meeting on his verified X account, describing Hanga as “one of the foremost leaders of the NDC in Kano State.”
According to the APC chairman, the discussions centred on unity, peace, and the continued progress of Kano State. “I had the pleasure of meeting with the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, alongside Senator Rufai Hanga… Our engagement was marked by frank, constructive, and cordial discussions centred on the unity and continued progress of Kano State,” Yilwatda stated.Campaigns & Elections He added that political leaders have a responsibility to foster dialogue and place the interest of citizens above partisan considerations. Neither Yilwatda nor the two senators revealed the full details of the meeting, but the timing has raised eyebrows given the fluid political situation in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections.Senator Hanga, the only NDC senator from Kano, recently lost the party’s ticket for the Kano Central Senatorial District to former Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. 
His dissatisfaction with what he termed his marginalisation within the NDC has further fuelled speculation of an imminent defection.Hanga had remained with the faction loyal to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso after Governor Abba Yusuf defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the APC. That bloc later moved to the African Democratic Congress before adopting the NDC platform.
Executive Branch The NDC has since named former Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as its governorship candidate for 2027, with Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate.Political observers note that Hanga’s recent moves and comments signal a significant shift that could further weaken the opposition structure in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.
His declaration that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket cannot succeed is seen by many as the clearest indication yet of his drifting away from the current NDC arrangement.As political permutations continue across the country, all eyes remain on Kano, where loyalty shifts and strategic alliances could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 polls.
