Kano: Only Opposition Senator Dumps Party For APC With 136,000 Supporters

Senator Rufa’i Hanga, who represents Kano Central in the National Assembly, has defected from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Ireporter Online, Hanga, described as the only opposition senator from Kano, announced his defection on Saturday alongside several political figures and thousands of supporters.

The lawmaker and other defectors were formally received into the APC during a mega rally held at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. The event was attended by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as a large crowd of party supporters.

The party also used the occasion to unveil the Tinubu Support Group, a campaign structure established to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.

Among those identified as having joined the APC were Hanga, former Senator Kabiru Gaya, who chairs a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Ali Datti Yako, the Kano vice-chairman of the NDC.

Others reportedly included Badaru Umar, a former chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area; Isyaku Danja, former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly; and Yusuf Danbatta, a former deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The defectors were said to have been accompanied by about 136,000 supporters, although the figure was presented by the organisers and has not been independently verified.

Photographs and videos from the rally showed APC leaders wearing party-branded caps bearing the Tinubu insignia as they welcomed the defectors. Several political figures from opposition parties were also seen at the event.

Speaking at the gathering, Ganduje said the mass movement into the APC demonstrated that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda was gaining acceptance.

“We are not surprised because Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a progressive leader who has the foresight to look into the future for the sustainable development of our country,” Ganduje said.

The latest defections are expected to further intensify political realignments in Kano ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as major parties continue efforts to strengthen their structures and expand their support bases.