2027 Elections: Dropping Shettima May Undermine APC’s Chances in North, Warns Minister Musawa

In a stark warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned that any attempt to remove Vice President Kashim Shettima from President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ticket could spell trouble for the party in the 2027 general elections.

Musawa made these remarks during a recent appearance on the Mic On Podcast hosted by veteran journalist Seun Okinbaloye, amid swirling speculations about potential changes to the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that propelled Tinubu and Shettima to victory in 2023. The minister emphasized that Northern Nigeria’s political landscape is deeply entrenched and sophisticated, where ethnic and religious considerations play a pivotal role in voter behavior.

“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 stated, highlighting the potential backlash in core northern states if Shettima or a similar figure from the region is sidelined. She further described the North as a “very, very sophisticated place,” where politics is not just about campaigns but about asserting influence and participation in governance.

According to Musawa, voters in the region view elections as a serious avenue to wield power, and any perceived slight—such as altering the ticket to exclude a Northern Muslim—could backfire spectacularly. This comes at a time when the APC is already grappling with internal dynamics and opposition challenges ahead of the 2027 polls.

The minister’s comments have sparked reactions on social media, with users echoing the sentiment that tampering with the current ticket could alienate key northern voters. Political analysts suggest that maintaining the Muslim-Muslim formula might be crucial for consolidating support in the North, where religious and ethnic identities often influence electoral outcomes.

As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, Musawa’s advice underscores the delicate balance the APC must strike to retain power. The party has yet to officially comment on the speculations, but insiders hint at ongoing discussions within the Tinubu administration.