Politics
Obi/Kwankwaso ticket cannot win 2027 elections, NDC lone senator, Hanga says as he plots defection to APC
Speculation over the possible defection of Kano Central Senator, Rufa’i Sani Hanga, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified after his recent meetings with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
The senator, a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), fueled the speculation after expressing doubts about his party’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, cannot secure victory.
Speaking during an interview with Freedom Radio on Friday, Hanga said a careful assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape shows that the NDC ticket lacks the nationwide support required to win the presidency.
“In the North, Obi has Kwankwaso as his running mate, and Kwankwaso is only popular in Kano. Even in Kano today, his popularity is about 50/50 because, while we were in the ADC, we had structures in Katsina, Jigawa and Kaduna. Those people refused to join us in the NDC and remained in the ADC.
“Peter Obi can only win in Anambra and secure some percentage of votes in a few southern states,” Hanga said.
He argued that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, currently stands a better chance of winning votes across the North-West and North-East than President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, rising insecurity and the economic hardship facing Nigerians have weakened the popularity of the Tinubu administration, adding that dissatisfaction with the government is growing across the country.
The senator’s remarks came shortly after he held separate meetings with Governor Yusuf and APC National Chairman Yilwatda, developments that have strengthened speculation that he may soon dump the NDC for the ruling party.
Although Hanga declined to disclose details of the meetings, political observers believe they are connected to his increasingly strained relationship with his longtime political ally, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Addressing suggestions that leaving Kwankwaso would amount to betrayal, Hanga dismissed the claim.
“Now, if I leave Kwankwaso, nobody can say I betrayed anybody. If anyone says I betrayed someone, I will recommend that person be sent to Goron Dutse Prison or Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital.
“When Abba Yusuf 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. If tomorrow I say I am no longer following him, should that be seen as betrayal?” he said.
Sources within the party said Hanga’s relationship with Kwankwaso deteriorated after the NDC primaries, where he lost the Kano Central Senatorial ticket and was overlooked for the deputy governorship position.
The party eventually nominated Mustapha Kwankwaso, the eldest son of Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam.
Hanga disclosed that he was outside the country for medical treatment when the deputy governorship candidate was announced.
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