Senator Rufa’i Meets Gov Abba, Perfects Move to APC After Dumping Kwankwaso

The Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rufa’i Sani Hanga, has met with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in what is being seen as a major step towards his expected defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after falling out with his longtime political ally, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

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

According to the statement, the senator and the governor 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 read.

The meeting came days after APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, visited Hanga, reportedly urging him to return to the ruling party. The senator also recently received a delegation of Kano APC executives at his residence amid growing speculation that he is preparing to formally join the APC.

Hanga’s relationship with Kwankwaso reportedly deteriorated after the NDC 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 led to fresh divisions within the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Before the disagreement, Hanga had remained one of Kwankwaso’s closest political associates and was among those who criticised Governor Yusuf after the governor left the opposition for 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 betray 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 said I am no longer following him, should that be seen as betrayal?”

Meanwhile, leaders of the APC in Kano have intensified efforts to persuade Hanga to join the ruling party. During a recent visit to his residence, the party’s vice chairman in the state, Salisu Maje Gwangwazo, said the senator had been unfairly treated despite his years of loyalty to Kwankwaso.

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

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