Senator Rufai Sani Hanga has dismissed reports that he is set to defect from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting he remains a loyal member of the party.

Speaking on a local radio programme in Kano on Tuesday, Hanga said he had not made any plans to leave the NDC despite speculation linking him to the ruling APC following meetings with President Bola Tinubu and other top party figures.

“I still remain a member of NDC and I have not yet made any plans of decamping,” he said.

However, the senator admitted that the NDC lacks the national support needed to defeat the APC in the presidential election, although he expressed confidence that the party would perform strongly in Kano State.

According to him, “NDC will lose Nigeria; they can’t make any impact, but I’m certain they will win Kano.”

Hanga also addressed his relationship with Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying they still have mutual respect despite political differences.

He revealed that Kwankwaso, through NDC Chairman Hussaini Isa Mairiga, informed him of plans to field his son, Mustapha Kwankwaso, for the governorship race. Hanga said he pledged to serve as Mustapha’s campaign manager but never received further communication.

He added that gubernatorial candidate Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo later approached him in Abuja with an offer to become his running mate, which he accepted despite describing it as a demotion. Hanga said he was later surprised to learn that Mustapha Kwankwaso had instead been named the deputy governorship candidate.