The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has said internal discussions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) on its 2027 presidential ticket must take into account voting behaviour in Northern Nigeria, warning that altering the current configuration could affect support in key states.

Musawa spoke on a recent episode of Mic On Show with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, amid speculation that the APC may consider changes to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ticket ahead of the next general election. She said the presence of a Northern Muslim on the ticket remains a significant factor in electoral calculations across the core northern states.

According to the minister, dropping Vice President Kashim Shettima or replacing him with a running mate who is not a Northern Muslim could present political difficulties for the ruling party.

“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,” she said.

Musawa argued that electoral politics in the North is shaped by long-established patterns that should not be underestimated. She said voters in the region approach elections with a strong sense of participation and influence, particularly in states such as Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto.

“The core North understands politics at a very deep level. Politics there is a way of life. People wait every four years to line up and vote because that is where they feel they have influence,” she said.

She cautioned against assumptions that the APC could adjust its presidential ticket without electoral consequences, describing such views as detached from political realities in the region.

“I think if we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem. People who suggest otherwise may not fully understand how politics works in the North,” Musawa said.

Beyond the ruling party’s internal considerations, the minister also addressed the state of the opposition ahead of 2027. She said the current opposition landscape does not appear cohesive enough to pose a serious threat to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.

Musawa described opposition parties and figures as divided, with multiple contenders seeking prominence.

“You have an opposition that is overcrowded. Every single member is vying for the same spot, and that alone creates a recipe for political failure,” she said.

While noting that opposition leaders remain politically active, she maintained that the APC is not complacent.

“We are not taking anybody lightly. But as the opposition is emerging now, I do not see how they can unseat President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” she said.

She added that the ruling party recognises the importance of opposition in a democratic system but remains focused on strengthening its political base ahead of the next election cycle.

“It is good for democracy to have opposition. Nobody wants a one-party state. But we are confident in our political direction,” Musawa said.