Senator Rufai Hanga has held a closed-door meeting with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, amid growing speculation over his possible defection to the ruling party.

The development was disclosed by the Deputy President of the Senate in a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, in which he revealed that he hosted the meeting at his residence in Abuja on Saturday night.

Barau said he hosted the APC National Chairman and Hanga, who represents Kano Central Senatorial District and a member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, adding that their discussions focused on promoting unity and development.

“I had the pleasure of hosting the National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and Senator Rufai Hanga at my residence in Abuja last night,” Barau wrote.

According to him, “Our discussion was fruitful and geared towards the promotion of unity, progress and development of Kano Central, Kano State and the country as a whole.”

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SolaceBase reports that the meeting came just days after Hanga held another closed-door meeting with Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, fuelling political discussions over his next move.

It was also the second known meeting involving Hanga and the APC National Chairman within a short period.

The first was when Professor Yilwatda visited Hanga, while the latest meeting was held at Barau’s residence in Abuja.

Sources familiar with the political developments told SolaceBase that the discussions were part of ongoing negotiations over Hanga’s possible defection to the APC from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Hanga was among the earliest political figures who remained with Kwankwaso after Governor Yusuf defected to the APC.

However, his recent engagements with key APC leaders have intensified speculation that he is now considering joining the ruling party.

Political analysts, however, believe Hanga may have decided on this move following the loss of a senatorial seat and any other elective position in the NDC primary election.