Minister of Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against altering President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that such a decision could weaken the party’s support base in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Mic On Show hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Musawa addressed discussions within political circles about a possible review of the Muslim–Muslim ticket used in the 2023 elections. She argued that removing Vice President Kashim Shettima or replacing him with a running mate who is not a Northern Muslim could create political challenges for the party.
Musawa said electoral politics in the North is influenced by deep-rooted social and political structures that must be carefully considered. She noted that voters in states such as Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto take elections seriously and see voting as a way to assert influence.
“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,” she said, adding that assumptions that the APC could easily reconfigure its ticket without consequences reflect a misunderstanding of northern political sentiment.
On the opposition’s chances ahead of 2027, Musawa described the landscape as fragmented, saying multiple political actors are pursuing the same ambition. While acknowledging the importance of a strong opposition in a democracy, she expressed confidence that the APC remains well positioned.
She stated that the ruling party is focused on consolidating its support base and does not believe current opposition alignments pose a serious threat to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima’s prospects in the next election.
