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Just in: Ahead 2027, Kano NDC Senators Meet Tinubu over Planned Defection to APC
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.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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