Kano Central Senator Issues Directive for Return of Party Vehicles
In a significant political development in Kano State, Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, representing the Kano Central Senatorial District, has issued a formal directive requiring former New Nigeria People's Party local government leaders to return official vehicles issued to them prior to their defection to the All Progressives Congress. This move comes amid a broader realignment of political forces in the state, following the recent wave of high-profile defections that have reshaped the local political landscape.
Official Letter Details the Recall Instructions
The instruction was formally communicated through a letter dated January 28, 2026, and signed by Engr. Ibrahim Nakwalli Kawaji, the Secretary to the Senator's Office. The document, which became publicly available on Thursday, January 29, was specifically addressed to Alhaji Ubale Isyaku Waskas, the NNPP chairman of Kura Local Government Area. The letter explicitly referenced vehicles that had been provided for party-related activities and outlined clear procedures for their return.
According to the official correspondence, the recipient was directed to return "the party vehicle provided to you by the Distinguished Senator Rufai Hanga for NNPP activities in your local government" to the senator's office located on Sokoto Road in Nasarawa GRA, Kano. A specific timeframe was established for this process, with the return scheduled to occur between January 28 and January 30, 2026.
Scope of the Directive Across Multiple Councils
The directive applies comprehensively to all NNPP local government chairmen across fifteen councils within the Kano Central Senatorial District. The affected local government areas span a substantial portion of the district and include:
- Dala
- Dawakin Kudu
- Fagge
- Garun Mallam
- Gezawa
- Gwale
- Kano Municipal
- Kumbotso
- Kura
- Madobi
- Minjibir
- Nasarawa
- Tarauni
- Ungogo
- Warawa
The letter further specified that all vehicles must be handed over directly to Alhaji Shehu Tijjani Usman Tarauni, the head of the senator's office, on the grounds that these vehicles constitute official party property. The document clarified that the vehicles would remain at the senator's office pending the resolution of internal party matters, while simultaneously urging continued loyalty to the party during this transitional period.
Political Context and Recent Defections
This development follows the recent political realignment in Kano State, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf defected to the APC alongside twenty-two members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all forty-four local government chairmen. This mass movement has created substantial shifts in the political dynamics of the state, with the vehicle recall directive representing one of the immediate practical consequences of these defections.
Mixed Reactions and Political Commentary
The directive has generated diverse reactions among party supporters and political observers across Kano State. Social media user Sani Gilashi Haruna described the move as unfortunate and inconsistent with established political practices in the state, citing previous instances where vehicles distributed to party leaders were not retrieved following electoral losses.
In a related development, Alhaji Abdussalam Abdulkarim, popularly known as AA Zaura, has indicated readiness to provide alternative vehicles to the affected leaders. His spokesperson, Malam Dahiru Ahmad Maihuddadu, stated that AA Zaura was prepared to offer "better vehicles" to those impacted by the recall, while simultaneously describing the senator's action as regrettable. This offer adds another layer to the ongoing political discourse surrounding the vehicle recall directive.
The situation continues to evolve as political stakeholders monitor compliance with the directive and assess its broader implications for party loyalty and resource management within Nigeria's dynamic political environment.
