The Digest:
Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa has warned the All Progressives Congress against altering its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2027 election. She cautioned that dropping Vice-President Kashim Shettima for a Christian running mate could create significant electoral hurdles by alienating northern Muslim voters, who she described as politically astute and driven by identity. Musawa argued that the opposition is fragmented and unlikely to unseat President Tinubu, questioning the viability of an Atiku-Peter Obi alliance. She also downplayed the potential impact of former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai on the APC's support in the North-West.
Key Points:
- The warning underscores the delicate religious and regional calculations central to building a winning coalition in Nigerian presidential politics.
- Musawa's argument frames the existing ticket as a carefully balanced construct that should not be tampered with for electoral safety.
- The analysis reflects a belief within the APC that maintaining the current configuration is crucial for retaining core northern support.
- Dismissing the opposition's strength and the threat from figures like el-Rufai aims to project confidence in the ruling party's position.
- The intervention adds a significant voice to the internal debate over the party's 2027 strategy and ticket composition.
Musawa's stark warning highlights the perceived risks of re-engineering the APC's successful 2023 formula, setting the stage for intense internal deliberations on balancing regional and religious interests ahead of the next election.
Sources: MIC ON Podcast
