Hanga Dumps NDC, Declines to Name New Political Platform
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central), on Monday formally resigned from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), ending months of speculation over his future in the party.
The lawmaker, who also serves as the Senate’s Deputy Minority Whip, conveyed his decision in a resignation letter dated August 3, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the NDC in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The ranking Senator of the Republic has however failed to mention his next political destination.
In the letter, Hanga attributed his departure to personal reasons, saying he needed to step away from partisan activities to focus on personal engagements that had suffered due to his political commitments.
“I have decided to withdraw my membership of the party to enable me concentrate on some of my personal activities, which have been affected,” the senator stated in the letter.
Hanga’s resignation comes amid sustained speculation over his political future following reports of strained relations within the NDC’s strongman in Kano, Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Hanga was edged out in the last primary election of the party following awards of Kano Central Senatorial District to a new comer in the party, Yusuf Gawuna.
The senator, however, made no reference to any disagreement in his resignation letter and did not indicate whether he intends to join another political party.
His exit has nevertheless reignited speculation that he could be headed for the All Progressives Congress (APC), following separate meetings in recent weeks with prominent party leaders, including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who were reportedly seeking to persuade him to align with the ruling party.
Political attention had also focused on Hanga after his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following which he remarked during a radio programme that although he expected Tinubu to win the presidency, his party would struggle to secure electoral victory in Kano State.