News

Kano Central Senator Hanga begins consultations amid APC defection speculation

Published

4 months ago

July 26, 2026

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.

News

Tanko finally breaks silence on why he dumped Peter Obi for SDP

Published

1 hour ago

November 12, 2026

PlateauReports

Former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has finally broken his silence on why he left the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi a few weeks to the 2027 presidential election.

Tanko, who was unveiled on Wednesday as the National Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, for Prince Adewole Adebayo, said he left because the group around Obi did not want him anymore.

He spoke in an interview on Symfoni TV, stating that he has no problem with Obi but could not stay where he was only being tolerated.

"The group did not want me. You don't stay where you're being tolerated. You go to where you're being appreciated.

"I respect Peter Obi, but since they don't want me, people who want me picked me up from the dustbin and made me a bride. That's what happened," Tanko said.

Tanko was one of the closest allies of Obi, who served as Obi's spokesman and Media Director of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation during the 2023 election.

Recall that in September 2024, Obi appointed him as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement worldwide.

He was later removed as coordinator of the movement in October 2026 and was made Political Adviser, North, to Obi.

Tanko said he informed Obi and the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, before he took the SDP job.

He said his relationship with Adebayo did not start now, but dates back to 2023.

"This is not a mistake in history. When you go back into history, you will see my warm relationship with him way back in 2023. So this is a relationship that has long been built," Tanko said.

Tanko finally breaks silence on why he dumped Peter Obi for SDP

News

“I Cannot Give Up” — Flamingos Star Umejiaku Reveals Mother’s Struggles Behind Her Golden Ball Triumph

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2026

PlateauReports

For Oluebube Umejiaku, winning the Golden Ball at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was more than a personal sporting achievement. The Flamingos forward says her determination to succeed in football is driven by a desire to give her mother a better life after years of hardship.

Speaking to BBC News Pidgin, the Nigerian teenager opened up about growing up in a family with limited financial resources and the challenges that have shaped her ambition.

“It’s not easy coming out from a family that has nothing. It was a very big challenge for me to make it in life. No matter how, in this football career, I won’t give up. I cannot give up,” she said.

Umejiaku explained that her mother’s experiences remain her strongest motivation, particularly the way people have treated her.

“I can’t give up because of my mother; she has suffered a lot. I need to take her out of where she is. People insult her, talk to her anyhow. Even when I’m there, they talk to her anyhow,” she added.

The forward said she regularly prays for recognition and success, hoping that her achievements will change how people perceive and treat her mother.

Her determination has already produced a remarkable breakthrough. Umejiaku played a decisive role in Nigeria’s historic campaign in Morocco, where the Flamingos became the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Although she did not start Nigeria’s opening 2-1 defeat to Poland, she came off the bench to score the team’s first goal of the tournament. She went on to contribute goals or assists in every match she featured in.

She scored against North Korea and Mexico, won the late penalty that secured Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Venezuela, assisted a goal against Brazil in the semi-final and scored in the 2-1 final victory over Japan.

Her performances earned her the tournament’s Golden Ball, recognising her as the competition’s outstanding player.

Reflecting on the achievement, Umejiaku revealed that she never imagined receiving such recognition when she began playing football at the age of seven. She also credited her mother’s constant encouragement during the tournament for helping her maintain belief in herself.

For the young forward, the Golden Ball is an important milestone, but her ambition stretches beyond individual awards. She wants to build a successful football career that will transform her family’s circumstances and give her mother the comfort she believes she deserves.