Breaking: Kano Governor Meets NDC Senator as APC Defection Talks Advance

• Kano Governor Abba Yusuf held talks with NDC Senator Rufai Hanga in Abuja over a potential defection to the APC
• Senator Hanga has reportedly been sidelined by Rabiu Kwankwaso, missing out on the Kano Central Senate ticket and the deputy governorship slot
• The APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, had earlier visited Hanga at his residence to persuade him to join the ruling party

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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

FCT, Abuja- Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf held a meeting with Senator Rufai Hanga of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as discussions around Hanga's possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continued to gather momentum.

Governor Yusuf met with Senator Rabou Kwankwaso's ally at his Abuja office on Friday, July 17, 2026,

It is gathered that Senator Hanga is weighing his options after being passed over for several key positions within his current political orbit.

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Nigerian Affairs Journal, a verified political affairs account on X @NigAffairs, disclosed this in a post shared on Friday, July 17, 2026.

Why Hanga is considering dumping NDC for APC

According to the report, Hanga's dissatisfaction stems from being excluded from the Kano Central Senate ticket, losing out on the deputy governorship slot, and receiving no meaningful consideration for any position from NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The combination of these setbacks has reportedly left Hanga politically marginalised within the party structure that once aligned him with Kwankwaso's Kwankwasiyya movement.

Earlier in the week, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda led a delegation of Kano State APC executive committee members to Hanga's residence in what appears to have been a formal lobbying effort to bring him into the ruling party's fold.

Decision Expected in Coming Days

Governor Abba Yusuf's involvement in the discussions adds a notable dimension to the talks, given that he leads the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in Kano and his engagement with Hanga suggests the senator's political future is attracting broad attention across party lines.

Hanga is expected to announce a decision on his next political affiliation within the coming days.

APC intensifies effort to win NDC senator

Recall that APC chieftains visited Senator Hanga at his residence in Kano on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to appeal for his defection to the ruling party

APC Vice Chairman Salisu Maje Gwangwazo told Hanga that Kwankwaso's refusal to offer him an elective position in the NDC proved he was no longer valued.

Hanga did not publicly respond to the appeal and gave no immediate indication that he had agreed to join the APC.

APC chairman meets top NDC chieftain

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that APC national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, paid a courtesy visit to Senator Hanga, a senior NDC figure in Kano state.

Senator Hanga is a former close ally and prominent figure in Rabiu Kwankwaso's Kwankwasiyya movement, but their longstanding alliance has recently faced severe strain

The ruling APC is actively consolidating power and absorbing prominent opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.