Tinubu Welcomes Hanga, Gaya to APC as Kano Political Realignment Gains Momentum
Tinubu Welcomes Hanga, Gaya to APC as Kano Political Realignment Gains Momentum
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally welcomed former Kano political heavyweights, Senator Rufai Hanga and Senator Kabiru Gaya, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their return as a significant boost to the ruling party’s strength and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The reception, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin and other senior APC leaders. Hanga and Gaya, both influential figures in Kano politics, pledged their commitment to the APC and expressed support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Their defection is widely seen as a major political development capable of reshaping the political landscape in Kano State.
Senator Rufai Hanga, who represented Kano Central, and former Kano State Governor Senator Kabiru Gaya reportedly decided to leave their former political platform after internal disagreements over party nominations and leadership decisions. Political analysts believe their return to the APC, alongside their supporters, could significantly strengthen the ruling party’s grassroots structure while weakening the influence of rival political blocs in the state.
President Tinubu commended the two leaders for rejoining the APC, describing their decision as one that would promote political stability, party cohesion and democratic development in Kano State and across the country. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering on its economic and governance reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The latest defections underscore the growing wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with major parties intensifying efforts to consolidate support across strategic states. Observers say the return of Hanga and Gaya is expected to bolster the APC’s electoral prospects in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states.
