NDC Appeals to Hanga and Gaya Over Possible APC Defection
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has publicly urged Senator Rufai Sani Hanga and former Kano State Governor Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya to reconsider any plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Background of the Alleged Defection
The appeal follows reports that both politicians met President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Sunday, accompanied by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. Earlier, the APC national chairman reportedly visited Hanga and Gaya at their homes, fuelling speculation of an imminent switch to the ruling party.
Party Chairman’s Concerns
NDC Kano State Chairman Hussaini Isah Mairiga told Daily Trust that the rumors have unsettled the party, although neither Hanga nor Gaya has formally notified the NDC of an intention to leave.
“The story that the APC is trying by all means to woo Kano Central Senator Rufai Sani Hanga and former Governor Kabiru Gaya is everywhere. Up till now, none of them has confirmed to us about a planned defection, although even yesterday we saw them visiting President Tinubu. This shows that it could be true,” he said.
Impact of Losing Key Figures
Mairiga warned that losing either politician would be a major blow, given their political stature and close ties to the party leadership.
“As leaders of the party, we won’t be happy if they defect, because we won’t be happy even if it is ordinary members who defected, not to talk of chieftains like them. We have a good relationship with them and we respect each other,” he added.
Call for Dialogue
The chairman urged Hanga and Gaya to halt any defection plans and engage the party leadership over any grievances.
“Since they have not yet officially announced their defection, we ask them to please have a rethink and suspend that idea. Let us come and discuss if there is any way we have offended them,” Mairiga said.
Internal Party Dynamics
Mairiga also noted that Hanga had recently expressed dissatisfaction over what he perceived as unfair treatment within the NDC. Former Kano State Governor and NDC leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso deliberately delayed his response to allow tensions to ease.
“Kwankwaso said the reason he didn’t reply him was because he (Hanga) was angry, so he was waiting for him to calm down before meeting him,” Mairiga explained.
Political Implications for 2027
The NDC still regards both men as members, describing their recent meetings with APC leaders as mere courtesy. Nevertheless, their potential departure could weaken the party and the Kwankwasiyya movement ahead of the 2027 general election.
Hanga, a former close ally of Kwankwaso, commands significant structures in Kano Central, while Gaya, a four‑term senator and former governor, retains strong influence in Kano South.
A political analyst at Bayero University Kano, Dr Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, warned that defections by influential figures could diminish the NDC’s strength, noting that a party’s power depends on the size and quality of its membership.
“In the first place, it is a collection of people that makes a political party. And the more the number, the stronger the party, and therefore the more impactful. So, in that regard, any political party that has the number, becomes stronger,” he said.
He added that the impact of a defection depends on the political weight of the individuals involved: “If they have serious political weight, then they are likely to impact the party negatively. But if they lack the political weight, then it will only affect the party marginally. This is the formula.”
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