2027 Election Alert: Minister Musawa Warns APC Against Dropping Northern Muslim From Presidential Ticket

In the unfolding prelude to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, a key ruling party figure has sounded a strategic warning with broad political reverberations. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to refrain from tinkering with its current presidential ticket configuration — especially if it involves removing Vice President Kashim Shettima, a Northern Muslim. 

Speaking on the Mic On Show podcast, hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Musawa addressed rumoured discussions within APC circles about potentially reshuffling the ticket ahead of the 2027 polls — particularly by dropping the Northern Muslim representation in favour of a Christian running mate. 

Musawa was emphatic: the political calculus in Northern Nigeria — a region with historically high voter engagement and strong communal identity politics — cannot be ignored. Nigeria’s political north, she said, is not only populous but deeply attuned to how tickets are balanced in terms of religion and region. If the APC abandons its current Muslim-Muslim ticket format, particularly without a Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim figure, the party could risk alienating critical voters in states like Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto. 

Musawa framed this not simply as a matter of religion, but as one rooted in political realities that have shaped electoral behaviour for decades — where voters in core Northern communities actively participate as a way to assert influence on national governance. 

Her argument reflects a strategic calculation common in Nigerian electoral politics: blending religious representation with regional inclusion can be pivotal in building broad electoral coalitions. In a nation where faith and identity often inform political loyalties, altering that balance is not a decision to be taken lightly. 

Musawa also weighed in on the opposition landscape. Despite talk of emerging alliances and potential joint tickets among opposition parties, she portrayed the opposition as largely fragmented and dominated by individuals competing for the same leadership position, rather than a cohesive force capable of unseating the APC. On that basis, she maintained confidence in the current ruling party’s re-election prospects. 

At the heart of this debate lies a broader question about how Nigeria’s major political parties manage diversity of representation while appealing across its complex mosaic of ethnic, regional and religious identities. The conversation sparked by Musawa’s comments underscores a reality of Nigerian politics: winning elections often depends as much on perceived balance and inclusion as it does on policy platforms and economic performance. 

Whether the APC heeds this warning — and how it ultimately shapes its 2027 ticket — could significantly influence not just the party’s fortunes, but also the broader trajectory of Nigeria’s democratic contest in the years ahead.