Prominent figures within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have issued strong warnings against any attempt to alter the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Senior party chieftain Prof. Haruna Yerima and Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, both cautioned that such a move would be politically reckless and could severely damage the party’s electoral prospects.

Speaking in Abuja, Prof. Yerima argued that those calling for changes to the ticket are largely the same figures who opposed the Tinubu/Shettima pairing in 2023.

He warned that tampering with the current configuration would result in the APC’s “greatest defeat yet,” describing its proponents as “short-sighted and politically naive.” He dismissed claims that narratives of a so-called “Christian genocide,” allegedly promoted by former U.S.

President Donald Trump, were influencing the debate, branding such arguments the handiwork of “political jobbers and fifth columnists.” Yerima praised Vice President Kashim Shettima as a loyal, competent, and discreet deputy, highlighting his intellectual depth, political stature, and exemplary record in public service.

Concerns Over Regional Balance and Northern Voter Backlash

Minister Hannatu Musawa echoed these warnings on the MIC ON podcast, stressing that removing Vice President Shettima from the ticket would pose serious electoral risks.

Amid speculation about replacing him with a Christian running mate, Musawa cautioned that altering the religious and regional balance of the ticket could provoke significant resistance in northern Nigeria.

She emphasized that the absence of a northern Muslim on the presidential ticket would likely alienate large segments of the northern electorate.

Musawa explained that northern political culture is deeply shaped by identity, civic awareness, and long-standing engagement with national issues.

She noted that political participation in the region is not limited to urban elites, but is widespread, including in rural communities, where platforms like BBC Hausa have long shaped political consciousness.

For many northern voters, elections are not just civic duties but a core part of social and political identity.

Opposition Fragmentation and APC’s 2027 Confidence

Musawa also downplayed the capacity of opposition parties to mount a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in 2027.

She described the opposition as fragmented, overcrowded, and driven largely by personal ambition, with multiple leading figures competing for the same political space.

While acknowledging the influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, she questioned the viability of a joint Atiku–Peter Obi ticket, citing conflicting ambitions and doubts about Obi’s ability to mobilize core northern votes.

She further dismissed claims that former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai could significantly weaken APC support in the North-West, expressing skepticism about his capacity to “injure” President Tinubu’s vote base in the region.

Together, these positions reflect growing confidence within the APC that maintaining the Tinubu/Shettima ticket is both strategically necessary and politically advantageous heading into the 2027 elections.