The possibility of altering the APC presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election has been described as risky by a serving minister.
Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has warned that removing Vice President Kashim Shettima could harm the ruling party’s chances.
Her remarks come amid growing speculation that the All Progressives Congress may consider a new running mate for President Bola Tinubu.
The debate, which centres on religion and regional balance, has continued to draw attention across political circles.
Speaking on MIC ON, a podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Musawa cautioned against underestimating northern voter sentiment.
She stressed that changes to the current ticket structure could backfire politically.
“If we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem. If there is no Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri Muslim on that ticket, it creates a hurdle. That’s the reality of the way the people think,” Musawa said.
According to her, politics in the North is driven strongly by identity and deep civic awareness.
She explained that many voters see elections as their strongest means of national influence.
“I come from a very rural area in Katsina State. All my family and all the people that I know that have never been to school, have a radio. They will tell you about the Russian Revolution. BBC Hausa did what it was supposed to do,” she said.
Moreover, Musawa said northern communities take voting seriously because it gives them power. She added that misunderstanding this reality often leads to electoral mistakes.
“When it comes to politics, the northern area really thrives on it,” she said.
“So when you don’t understand politics in the way that they do, you come at your own peril,” Musawa added.
She further noted that voting is seen as an identity exercise in many families.
“They wait every four years to be able to line up,” she said. “For them, it is almost like an identity.”
Meanwhile, Musawa downplayed the strength of the opposition ahead of 2027.
She described opposition parties as divided and driven by personal ambition.
“To be fair, I think all of the members of the opposition are formidable people,” she said.
“But honestly, especially the way the opposition is emerging, I don’t see how the opposition as it is now can unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.”
In addition, she questioned the feasibility of any Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi alliance.
She argued that leadership ambitions would likely weaken such a ticket.
“If you put Mr Peter Obi together with Atiku Abubakar, well, somebody has to be president,” Musawa said. “That is going to be a problem.”
She also dismissed claims that Nasir el-Rufai could weaken APC dominance in the North-West. According to her, the president’s vote base in the region remains firm.
