Peter Obi’s NDC in Trouble as Tinubu Receives Kano Chieftains Ahead of APC Defection

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday received two prominent Kano politicians, Senator Rufai Hanga and former Senator Kabiru Gaya, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a meeting that has fueled speculation over fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The delegation was led by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, who accompanied the two Kano political figures to the meeting with the President.

The visit comes amid reports that both Senator Hanga and Senator Gaya are set to formally defect from the New Democratic Congress (NDC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) next week.

Sources close to the development said Senator Rufai Hanga decided to leave the NDC after losing the party’s Kano Central Senatorial ticket and the deputy governorship slot. He was also reportedly dissatisfied after not being considered for any political appointment by the party’s leadership.

Former Senator Kabiru Gaya is also expected to leave the NDC after his bid for the Kano South Senatorial ticket failed when the party adopted a consensus candidate backed by the camp of Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The planned defections are seen as a major boost for the APC in Kano State and could further alter the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections.

Although neither the Presidency nor the two politicians officially commented on the outcome of the meeting, political observers believe the development signals growing momentum for the APC in Kano, while raising fresh concerns over the NDC’s strength in one of Nigeria’s key political states.