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Hannatu Musawa warns APC that changing the Tinubu–Shettima ticket could trigger northern backlash ahead of 2027.

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

She warned that such a move could weaken the party’s electoral chances, particularly in northern Nigeria, where voting patterns are strongly influenced by identity, religion, and regional balance.

Musawa made the remarks during an interview on MIC ON, a podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, amid growing speculation that the APC may consider a Christian running mate for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Northern Muslim Presence Is Critical, She Says

According to Musawa, removing a northern Muslim from the presidential ticket could provoke resistance among voters in the region.

She stressed that the current political configuration reflects how many northern voters think and vote.

“If we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem,” she said.

“If there is no Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim on that ticket, it creates a hurdle. That is the reality.”

Politics Runs Deep in the North

Musawa described northern Nigeria as one of the most politically conscious regions in the country, arguing that its influence is often underestimated.

Drawing from personal experience, she explained that political awareness cuts across education levels.

“I come from a very rural part of Katsina State. People who never went to school still follow politics closely. Radio has played a huge role,” she said.

She added that politics is one area where many northern communities feel they can shape national outcomes.

Voting Seen as Identity and Power

The minister said elections hold deep meaning in the region, with families often mobilising en masse to vote every four years.

According to her, this sense of participation gives people a feeling of control over Nigeria’s future.

“For them, politics is almost an identity,” Musawa said, warning that political actors who ignore this reality do so at their own risk.

Opposition Unlikely to Unseat APC

Musawa also expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in 2027, saying the opposition remains fragmented and driven by competing personal ambitions.

While acknowledging the political weight of opposition figures, she said their internal rivalry weakens their collective strength.

“The opposition is overcrowded. Everyone is competing for the same position,” she said, describing it as a potential recipe for failure.

Atiku–Obi Alliance Raises Questions

On speculation about a possible alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, Musawa questioned how such a ticket would work in practice.

She noted that leadership ambitions and voter expectations could complicate any joint arrangement.

“If Atiku is president and Obi is vice president, Obidients may not accept it. If it is the other way round, Peter Obi has not shown the ability to mobilise core northern votes,” she said.

El-Rufai Not a Threat to APC Base

Musawa also dismissed claims that former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai could significantly weaken APC support in the North-West.

She said she does not believe he has the political reach to damage President Tinubu’s vote base in the region.