Senator Rufa’i Hanga, who represents Kano Central in the National Assembly, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Hanga’s move has further altered the political landscape in Kano, where he had been the state’s only opposition senator.
The lawmaker announced his switch on Saturday during a major APC gathering at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
He joined the APC from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arriving at the rally with a large group of supporters and political figures who also crossed into the ruling party.
The event drew the attention of several prominent APC leaders, including National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
According to information presented at the rally, the defection involved about 136,000 supporters.
Among those listed as part of the political realignment were former senator Kabiru Gaya, who leads a faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Ali Datti Yako, the Kano NDC vice-chairman.
Other notable names included Badaru Umar, a former chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area; Isyaku Danja, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly; and Yusuf Danbatta, a former PDP deputy governorship candidate.
Their entry into the APC was presented as a major boost for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Kano rally also featured the unveiling of the Tinubu Support Group, a political campaign structure established to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Several opposition figures were seen alongside APC leaders at the event as the party formally welcomed the defectors.
The development is expected to intensify political competition in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states.
Speaking at the rally, Ganduje described the growing support for Tinubu and the APC as evidence that the president’s administration was gaining acceptance.
He argued that the defections reflected confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and his economic and development agenda.
Ganduje said the political movement was not unexpected, describing Tinubu as a leader with a long-term vision for Nigeria.
“President Tinubu’s leadership is attracting people because Nigerians are beginning to see the direction of his administration,” Ganduje said.
He added that the APC would continue to welcome politicians and supporters who shared its vision for the country.
For Hanga, the defection marks a significant change in his political alignment as preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum.
His move also gives the APC a stronger presence among Kano’s federal lawmakers and adds another prominent political figure to the party’s growing camp in the state.