Fresh challenge has surfaced over the political future of Kano Central Senator Rufa’i Hanga after he held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, sparking widespread speculation that he may soon dump the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting, which took place on Sunday, has intensified discussions within political circles, especially as Hanga is currently the only NDC senator representing Kano State in the National Assembly. Hanga arrived at the State House alongside former Senator Kabiru Gaya and was ushered into the Presidential Villa by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Following the meeting, Barau described the engagement as “fruitful,” although he did not disclose details of the discussions.Government The senator’s visit to the Presidency came shortly after separate meetings with APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, further fueling reports that he is preparing to cross over to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political observers believe the sequence of high-level consultations is a strong indication that Hanga may be set to formally align with the ruling party after his relationship with NDC leader Rabiu Kwankwaso reportedly deteriorated. 
The alleged rift between the two politicians became public after Hanga failed to secure the NDC senatorial ticket for another term and was also overlooked for the party’s deputy governorship nomination.
Executive Branch Analysts say welcoming Hanga into the APC would strengthen the party’s influence in Kano, particularly in Kano Central Senatorial District, one of the state’s most politically significant constituencies. Hanga is regarded as an experienced politician with deep roots in northern Nigerian politics.
He previously served as the founding National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the political platform established by former President Muhammadu Buhari before it merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013.Africans & Diaspora Over the years, the senator has built a reputation for maintaining close contact with his constituents through grassroots empowerment initiatives and welfare programmes across the 15 local government areas that make up Kano Central, including Kano Municipal, Tarauni, Dala, Nassarawa and Fagge. Although opinions remain divided over his personal political strength, supporters insist he enjoys considerable influence among traditional institutions, community leaders and grassroots supporters.
Many analysts believe that joining the APC could provide Hanga with renewed political relevance, access to federal support and the opportunity to secure a strategic position within the party in Kano State. His fallout with Kwankwaso became more pronounced during a recent radio interview in Kano, where he openly accused the former governor of betraying him by denying him both a return Senate ticket and the NDC deputy governorship slot.
Responding to claims that his age and health influenced the decision, Hanga dismissed the argument and insisted he remained physically fit to continue serving. “How can Kwankwaso cite my age and health condition to deny me the chance? As of today, I am healthier than Kwankwaso.
His frequent references to my leg condition are nothing but a sham. Regarding age, he is two years older than I am,” Hanga said. He maintained that his leg condition has never affected his performance in the Senate and accused the NDC leadership of deliberately sidelining him.
With political realignments gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, Hanga’s latest engagements with President Tinubu and senior APC leaders have further intensified speculation that a formal defection announcement could be imminent.
