2027: Musawa Warns APC Against Dropping Northern Muslim Running Mate

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 general election, warning that such a move could jeopardize critical northern support.

Speaking on a recent episode of Mic On Show hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Musawa addressed speculation about a possible change to the Muslim–Muslim ticket adopted by the APC in 2023.

The minister stressed that replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima or choosing a running mate who is not a Northern Muslim could create significant political challenges, particularly in key northern 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.

She explained that Northern Nigerian politics is shaped by longstanding social and political structures, with voters viewing elections as a crucial way to assert influence. She identified Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, and Sokoto as states where political decisions are carefully scrutinized.

“The core North 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 added.

Musawa dismissed notions that the APC could easily reconfigure its ticket without consequences, describing such assumptions as a misreading of northern political sentiment.

“If we start to toy with the current arrangement, it becomes a problem. Those making such suggestions may not fully appreciate how politics works in the North,” she said.

Regarding opposition parties ahead of 2027, Musawa expressed skepticism about their ability to challenge the APC effectively. She described the opposition as fragmented, with multiple actors competing for the same positions.

“You have an opposition that is overcrowded. Everyone is vying for the same position, and that alone creates a recipe for failure,” she said.

Musawa added that while the APC does not underestimate its rivals, the party remains confident in its prospects.

“We are not taking anybody lightly. But from what we are seeing now, I don’t see how they can unseat President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” she said, noting that consolidating the party’s support base is a top priority ahead of the next election.

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