Hannatu Musawa, the minister of Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, has issued a firm warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC)regarding any internal proposals to restructure the current presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
She made the call on the Mic On Show with journalist Seun Okinbaloye. She said the growing discourse surrounding the Muslim–Muslim ticket, asserting that any attempt to replace Kashim Shettima as the vice president with a candidate who is not a Northern Muslim would be a strategic blunder.
Musawa reasoned that the ruling party must respect the deeply entrenched social and political structures that define Northern Nigeria. She noted that the region’s electorate is highly sophisticated and views the quadrennial voting process as a vital instrument of influence. According to the Minister, removing a Kanuri, Hausa, or Fulani Muslim from the ticket would disregard the fundamental expectations of voters in key states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto.
The Minister emphasised that the current arrangement is not merely a matter of political convenience but a reflection of the reality on the ground. She suggested that those advocating for a change in the vice-presidential slot may lack a comprehensive understanding of how power and representation are perceived in the core North.
“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.
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Musawa dismissed the notion that the APC could easily reconfigure its leadership structure without facing severe electoral consequences. She cautioned that toying with the established balance would create unnecessary complications for the party’s support base. By maintaining the status quo, she argued, the APC secures its standing in a region where political choices are subjected to intense scrutiny.
Turning her attention to the prospect of opposition alliances, Musawa expressed scepticism regarding their ability to mount a credible challenge against the incumbent administration. She described the opposition environment as one that is currently fragmented and hindered by a surplus of individual ambitions. In her view, the lack of a unified front makes it highly unlikely that any emerging coalition could successfully unseat President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister concluded by stating that while a robust opposition is necessary for a healthy democracy, the APC remains focused on consolidation. She maintained that despite the various political manoeuvres occurring across the aisle, the ruling party is confident in the strength of the Tinubu-Shettima partnership as they look toward the next election cycle.
