ABUJA – The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against any move to change its current Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, warning that dropping Vice-President Kashim Shettima could create significant electoral hurdles for the party in 2027.
In an interview on the MIC ON podcast, Musawa responded to speculation that the APC might consider pairing President Bola Tinubu with a Christian running mate in the next election. She argued that altering the religious and regional balance of the ticket would misunderstand the political dynamics of northern Nigeria.
“A Problem” of Political Identity
“If we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem,” Musawa stated. “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.”
The minister emphasized that politics in the north is deeply tied to identity and civic participation, describing the region as highly politically aware and engaged. She suggested that the absence of a northern Muslim on the presidential ticket could trigger resistance from voters who view national elections as a crucial avenue for influence and representation.
Dismissing a Divided Opposition
Musawa also downplayed the potential threat from opposition parties, characterizing them as fragmented and driven by individual ambitions rather than a unified strategy.
“I don’t see how the opposition as it is now can unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima,” she said, noting that key opposition figures are all vying for the same top position, creating a “recipe for disaster.”
While acknowledging the continued relevance of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, she expressed skepticism about a viable alliance between him and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, questioning how their competing ambitions and supporter bases could be reconciled.
Strategic Outlook for 2027
The minister’s comments highlight the delicate balancing act within the APC as it looks toward the next general election. Her analysis underscores the party’s apparent strategy to maintain its existing coalition by preserving the religious and regional formula that secured victory in 2023, betting on continuity amid a fractured opposition landscape.
Musawa’s intervention signals internal party debates over ticket composition are already underway, with stability and voter perception in key northern regions being presented as non-negotiable factors for the ruling party’s re-election bid.
Posts
0 Comments