Kano Senator Rufa’i Hanga meets Gov Yusuf, finalizes move to join APC

The Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rufa’i Sani Hanga, has met with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in a development widely seen as a significant step towards his expected defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following his fallout with longtime political ally, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The meeting was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the senator’s media aide, Umar Saminu Mai-Adashi.

According to the statement, Hanga and Governor Yusuf discussed political developments in Kano State and across the country.

«”The Distinguished Senator representing Kano Central, Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, today held a meeting with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf. The meeting discussed critical issues bordering on the political affairs of Kano State and the nation at large,” the statement said.»

The meeting comes just days after the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, reportedly visited Hanga to persuade him to return to the ruling party.

The senator also recently hosted a delegation of Kano APC executives at his residence, further fuelling speculation that he is preparing to formally defect to the APC.

Hanga’s relationship with Kwankwaso reportedly deteriorated after the party’s primaries, where he lost the Kano Central Senatorial ticket and was also overlooked for the deputy governorship position. His exclusion from the party’s list of candidates reportedly deepened divisions within the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

Before the disagreement, Hanga was regarded as one of Kwankwaso’s closest political associates and had been among those who criticised Governor Yusuf after the governor defected to the APC.

However, the senator later said he now understood the governor’s decision and no longer considered it a betrayal.

“Now if I just left Kwankwaso, nobody can say I betrayed anybody, and for anyone to say I betrayed someone, I will recommend that person should be sent to Goron Dutse Prison or Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital,” Hanga said.

He added, “When Abba left, if I had followed him, that is when they would have said I betrayed Kwankwaso. I stayed with Kwankwaso and followed him through the nooks and crannies of this country. I was with him. If tomorrow I say I am no longer following him, should that be seen as betrayal?”

Meanwhile, APC leaders in Kano have intensified efforts to woo the senator into the party.

During a recent visit to Hanga’s residence, the party’s Vice Chairman in Kano State, Salisu Maje Gwangwazo, alleged that the senator had been unfairly treated despite years of loyalty to Kwankwaso.

“We are here to welcome you back home from your medical trip and, more importantly, sympathise with you over the level of humiliation meted out to you by the Jagora. Despite your longstanding relationship and support for Kwankwaso, he has clearly shown that you are not relevant to them,” Gwangwazo said.

He added, “We are here to plead with you to return and join Governor Yusuf in the APC, where you will be valued and relevant. We are not promising you the senatorial ticket, but we want you to return to where you will be appreciated.”

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