The Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, has commenced consultations with political allies, stakeholders and leaders of his district amid speculation over his possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This comes as Senator Hanga was said to have convened a meeting with his constituency coordinators drawn from the 15 local government areas that make up Kano Central, where he discussed the state of his political movement and sought their views on his next political step.

In a statement posted on Hanga’s official social media page, the meeting focused on “key political issues” and the current realities within his political camp.

It was also reported that the embattled senator, who appears to have parted ways with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), briefed the coordinators on recent political developments affecting his political structure.

The statement said Hanga specifically requested the opinion of the grassroots leaders on his political future, “particularly regarding the possibility of moving to another political party,” as part of wider consultations before reaching a final decision.

“The meeting forms part of the senator’s continuous engagement with critical stakeholders in his political family ahead of any major decision concerning his political future,” the statement added.

Although Hanga did not disclose the political party he may be considering, his consultations come at a time of heightened political realignments across Kano State and the country, with several prominent politicians reviewing their alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The senator, who was elected to the Red Chamber on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reportedly defected briefly to the ADC before later joining the NDC. He has remained a key figure in discussions surrounding the evolving political landscape in Kano.

His latest engagement with constituency leaders came on the heels of similar meetings with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the National Chairman of the APC, Yilwatda. The consultations signal an effort to build consensus within his political base before making any far-reaching decision on his future.

However, the State Chairman of the NNPP and a diehard Kwankwaso supporter, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, was recently quoted as saying that Senator Hanga was planning to part ways with the Kwankwasiyya movement.

“Senator Hanga told me himself that never in his life will he drop his loyalty to Kwankwaso and shun the Kwankwasiyya movement. This he personally confirmed to me”, Dungurawa insisted.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to introduce a more effective and citizen-friendly framework for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Oyintiloye also urged the electorate not to be discouraged by the cumbersome PVC collection process, encouraging those yet to collect their cards to do so and turn out en masse to vote peacefully for the candidates of their choice.

The former lawmaker, who spoke with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, said the current process has subjected many eligible voters to unnecessary hardship during collection.

He noted that simplifying the PVC collection process will boost voter turnout and enable more citizens exercise their constitutional rights during the election.

He also told voters not to submit themselves to fear due to the reports of intimidation.

“No individual or group should be allowed to undermine the democratic process through acts capable of causing panic or discouraging lawful participation in the election,” he said.

Oyintiloye called on security agencies “to remain vigilant and professional in safeguarding lives and property before, during and after the poll.”

He urged them to ensure that anyone engaging in violence, intimidation or any act capable of disrupting the electoral process is brought to justice.

On the prospects of the APC in the poll, Oyintiloye expressed optimism that the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, would emerge victorious, citing widespread acceptance and support across the state.

He said the goodwill and enthusiasm shown by residents indicated strong confidence in the APC candidate. “The party is on course for victory.”

Oyintiloye who maintained that the journey back to government has commenced for APC, expressed confidence that voters would democratically elect Oyebamiji as the next governor of the state.