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The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against altering the current presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that dropping a Northern Muslim could weaken the party’s electoral chances.
Musawa gave the warning during a recent episode of Mic On Show hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, amid speculation that the ruling party may reconsider the Muslim–Muslim ticket adopted during the 2023 presidential election.
According to the minister, any move to remove Vice President Kashim Shettima or replace him with a non-Northern Muslim running mate would pose a serious political challenge for the APC, especially in the party’s northern strongholds.
“If there is no Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim on that ticket, it creates a hurdle. That is the reality of the way people think,” Musawa said.
She explained that politics in Northern Nigeria is deeply rooted and highly sophisticated, stressing that misreading the region’s political dynamics could backfire.
“The core North — states like Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto — understands politics at a very deep level. Politics there is a way of life. People wait every four years to line up and vote because that is where they feel they have influence,” she said.
Musawa dismissed suggestions that the APC could easily reshuffle its presidential ticket without consequences, describing such views as politically naive.
“If we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it becomes a problem. People who suggest otherwise may not fully understand how politics works in the North,” she added.
Opposition Not a Threat — Musawa
Addressing concerns about emerging opposition alliances ahead of 2027, the minister said she does not believe the current opposition setup can unseat President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.
She described the opposition as fragmented, with multiple political actors competing for the same leadership position.
“You have an opposition that is overcrowded. Every single member is vying for the same spot, and that alone creates a recipe for political failure,” Musawa said.
While acknowledging that opposition figures remain active and influential, she maintained that the APC remains confident of retaining power.
“We are not taking anybody lightly. But as the opposition is emerging now, I do not see how they can unseat President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” she said.
Musawa added that although the APC welcomes a strong opposition in the interest of democratic growth, the party is focused on consolidating its political base ahead of the next election.
“It is good for democracy to have opposition. Nobody wants a one-party state. But we are confident in our political direction,” she concluded.
