Tinubu Hosts NDC Chieftains Hanga, Gaya At Presidential Villa Amid APC Defection Speculations
Meeting follows reports that the Kano politicians may formally join the ruling APC after losing party tickets
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday received two prominent chieftains of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rufai Hanga and Kabiru Gaya, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, further fueling speculation over their reported plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The two Kano politicians were accompanied to the Presidential Villa by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, in what political observers view as a significant development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting comes amid widespread reports that both Hanga and Gaya are preparing to formally dump the NDC for the APC after failing to secure their preferred political tickets within the opposition party.
Reported Reasons Behind Planned Defection
According to reports, former Senator Rufai Hanga lost both the contest for the Kano Central Senatorial ticket and the party’s deputy governorship slot.
He is also said to have become dissatisfied after allegedly failing to secure any political appointment or position from the camp of the NDC vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Similarly, former Senator Kabiru Gaya, who sought the Kano South Senatorial ticket, reportedly lost the party’s nomination after a consensus candidate emerged from Kwankwaso’s political bloc.
Earlier Meeting With APC National Chairman
The latest meeting with President Tinubu follows an earlier engagement between the two politicians and the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, further strengthening reports that discussions on their possible defection are already at an advanced stage.
Political sources indicate that Hanga and Gaya are expected to formally announce their defection to the APC in the coming days, although neither politician has publicly confirmed the move.
If completed, the development could reshape the political landscape in Kano State ahead of the 2027 elections, as both politicians remain influential figures with established political structures.
Neither the Presidency nor the NDC had issued an official statement on the meeting as of the time of filing this report.
