Senator Rufa’i Hanga has declared that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential ticket comprising Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso cannot win the 2027 presidential election, as speculation grows over his possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The senator representing Kano Central made the remarks after separate meetings with Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, fueling reports that he is set to dump the NDC.
Speaking during an interview with Freedom Radio, Hanga said he had lost confidence in the NDC’s chances at the national level, insisting that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso enjoys the widespread support needed to secure victory in the next presidential election.
According to him, Kwankwaso’s political influence is now largely limited to Kano State, adding that the movement has lost support in states such as Katsina, Jigawa and Kaduna after some of its members declined to join the NDC.
“In the North, Obi has Kwankwaso as running mate, and Kwankwaso is only popular in Kano. Even now, his popularity is 50/50 because previously, while we were in the ADC, we had people in Katsina, Jigawa and Kaduna, but those people refused to join us in the NDC and remained in the ADC.
“Peter Obi can only win in Anambra and get some percentage of votes in some states in the South,” Hanga said.
He, however, argued that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has a better chance of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the North-West and North-East.
Hanga attributed his position to what he described as growing public dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration, citing insecurity and economic hardship as factors affecting the President’s popularity.
The senator also signalled a shift in his relationship with Kwankwaso, saying he no longer considers Governor Yusuf’s decision to part ways with the former Kano governor and align with the APC as an act of betrayal.
“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,” he said.
He added that he remained loyal to Kwankwaso after Governor Yusuf’s exit and had followed the former governor across the country, insisting that choosing a different political path now should not be interpreted as betrayal.
Hanga’s comments come amid growing speculation that he may soon join the APC after his recent engagements with Governor Yusuf and the party’s national chairman.
Sources close to the senator said his relationship with Kwankwaso deteriorated after he lost the Kano Central senatorial ticket during the party’s primaries and was also overlooked for the deputy governorship position.
The NDC eventually picked Mustapha Kwankwaso, the eldest son of Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam.
Hanga said he was outside the country for medical treatment when the deputy governorship candidate was announced.
