The Minister of Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against altering President Bola Tinubu’s expected 2027 presidential ticket by dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima or replacing him with a non-Northern Muslim running mate.
Her comments reflect growing debate within political circles about the religious and regional balance of the APC’s ticket.
Musawa made the remarks during an appearance on the Mic on Show podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, where she addressed speculation that the ruling party may consider reshaping its ticket ahead of next year’s general election.
She argued that removing a Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim from the ticket could significantly weaken the APC’s electoral prospects, especially in Northern Nigeria’s core states.
“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, emphasising the deep importance of identity and regional considerations in northern political dynamics.
She listed states such as Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto as areas where voters are particularly attentive to these factors in electoral decisions.
Musawa warned that a decision to alter the religious and regional configuration of the ticket could be misread and potentially backfire, underscoring the sophisticated nature of northern political engagement.
“Politics there is a way of life,” she said, adding that voters in the region view elections as a means to assert influence over national direction.
Addressing the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 election, the minister described current opposition alliances as fragmented, suggesting they lack the cohesion required to unseat the APC ticket.
She said that while a strong opposition is healthy for democracy, the ruling party remains confident in its chances and is focused on consolidating its base.
Musawa’s remarks come against a backdrop of internal debate within the APC and the broader political environment, where discussions about ticket composition and electoral strategy are intensifying as stakeholders prepare for the 2027 polls.
