Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rufai Sani Hanga, has resigned from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, ending weeks of speculation over his political future and triggering fresh calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Hanga, who serves as the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Dakata Ward, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano.
His resignation comes after weeks of intense speculation linking him with a possible move to the ruling All Progressives Congress following a series of meetings with President Bola Tinubu, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other senior APC leaders. The development is expected to reshape political alignments in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states and a major battleground ahead of the 2027 elections.
In the resignation letter, Hanga said his decision took immediate effect and followed what he described as careful reflection and personal deliberation.
“I am writing to formally notify you of my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from today, 3rd August 2026,” he stated.
The senator explained that he decided to leave the party to pursue other personal commitments and career aspirations.
“After careful reflection and personal deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my membership from the party to pursue other personal commitments and career paths,” he wrote.
Hanga expressed appreciation to the ward leadership and party members for their support throughout his stay in the party.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to you, the Ward Executive Committee, and the entire membership of Dakata Ward for the opportunities, support and fellowship I enjoyed during my time with the party. I cherish the relationships built and the experiences shared during our political activities together,” he said.
He added that he had attached his official party membership card and requested that his name be removed from the party’s register.
“Please find attached my official NDC membership card. I request that my name be formally removed from the party register at the ward level. I wish the party and its members all the best in their future endeavours,” the letter added.
Although Hanga did not announce his next political destination, his resignation followed growing discontent within the NDC over the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The senator recently lost the party’s consensus ticket for the Kano Central Senatorial District to former Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who defected from the APC to the African Democratic Congress before later joining the NDC alongside the party’s national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Political observers also linked Hanga’s decision to dissatisfaction within the Kwankwasiyya movement, with reports suggesting he believed his loyalty and contributions had not received adequate recognition.
The speculation over his political future intensified after he held separate meetings with APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, before joining a delegation led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to visit President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Hanga’s exit represents another significant shift in Kano’s political landscape as parties continue to realign ahead of the 2027 elections. Kano remains one of Nigeria’s most influential voting states, making every major defection capable of altering political alliances, campaign strategies and electoral calculations.
West Trybe reports that Hanga’s resignation is expected to intensify political realignments in Kano as the APC, NDC and other major parties position themselves for the 2027 general elections, with the senator widely expected to announce his next political destination in the coming weeks.
