‘Extremely painful’: NDC spokesperson laments as party chieftains set to join APC

Two prominent Kano State chieftains of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senators Rufai Hanga and Kabiru Gaya, are poised to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that has drawn sharp criticism from within their current party.

The planned defection, confirmed by a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja where they met with President Bola Tinubu, has intensified speculation about their imminent exit from the NDC. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau accompanied the senators, signaling a significant shift in political alliances.

Sources within the NDC suggest the senators' dissatisfaction stems from internal party decisions concerning the upcoming 2027 elections. Hanga reportedly lost the NDC’s Kano Central Senatorial ticket and the party’s deputy governorship slot. He is also said to be disillusioned after not being considered for any political appointment by the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Similarly, Gaya’s bid for the NDC’s Kano South Senatorial ticket was unsuccessful, as the party opted for a consensus candidate supported by Kwankwaso’s political faction. These setbacks appear to have paved the way for their move to the APC, a decision that has been met with dismay by NDC officials. Theo Abu Agada, the Director of New Media and Strategic Communications for the NDC, described the planned defection as "extremely painful."

“

This is extremely painful but we move