L-R: Musawa, Tinubu
By Pamson Musa
A group known as the North Central Tinubu Action Group has lambasted the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for her comments that only a Northern Muslim Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Vice President would guarantee victory for President Bola Tinubu in 2027 as opposed to picking a Northern Christian for the position.
The group made this known in a statement issued by its Secretary Abimiku Solomon.
It would be recalled that Musawa in a recent interview on Channels TV, claimed that Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential elections if he swapped Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian running mate from the North.
According to the group, Musawa’s comments are unfortunate and capable of inadvertently undermining the unity and diversity that define Nigeria.
It cautioned the minister that as a national leader, who is entrusted with promoting the nation’s diverse cultural heritage, her words carried significant weight and influence.
The group urged the minister to instead use her office to advocate for a politics of inclusion, where leadership is based on merit, integrity, and a commitment to the collective good of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, regional or religious considerations.
It stressed that a more strategic and unifying path for Tinubu and APC would be to select a Northern Christian running mate with cross-religious and cross-regional political engagement, proven record of service to humanity, and wide acceptability.
The group noted that during the 2023 presidential elections, Tinubu lost most of the Hausa , Fulani, and Kanuri Muslim-majority states in the North-East and North-West, with the exception of Zamfara, Jigawa, and Borno, despite the so-called Muslim-Muslim ticket.
It also noted that Tinubu was defeated by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Musawa’s Katsina State, and Kanuri dominated Yobe State, despite the APC fielding a Northern Kanuri Muslim Vice Presidential candidate.
The North Central Tinubu Action Group recalled that Tinubu won most of the non-Hausa, non-Fulani and non-Kanuri Northern states such as Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi.
It further noted that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi secured millions of votes in the North, demonstrating that voters allegiance in the North is not monolithic.
“These outcomes suggest that an inclusive approach, one that embraces Northern Christians, and minority ethnic Muslims, could strengthen national cohesion and broaden political appeal,” the group emphasized.
The statement reads in full as follows:
Dear Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa,
Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy,
I write to share my concerns regarding your recent interview on Channels TV, in which you expressed views that I believe may inadvertently undermine the unity and diversity that define Nigeria.
As a national leader entrusted with promoting our nation’s diverse cultural heritage, your words carry significant weight and influence.
In your remarks, you asserted that only a Northern Muslim Vice Presidential candidate can secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Such a claim not only undermines the principles of national unity but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes that reduce Nigeria’s political dynamics to narrow religious and ethnic calculations.
Your further suggestion that Northerners alone possess a unique “sophistication of politics” and hold the “political key to Nigeria” is not only condescending but also historically and statistically inaccurate.
More troubling is the explicit conclusion that only a Hausa, Fulani, or Kanuri Northern Muslim Vice Presidential candidate can guarantee Tinubu re-election in 2027.
This statement from a Minister does not just undermine the contribution of the northern Muslims ethnic minorities and their Christian counterparts, but effectively erase the rich diversity that defines Northern Nigeria and the Nigeria as a nation.
Your argument amplifies a long-standing narrative of division, one that has been used by certain political elites to suppress the voices and aspirations of millions of non-Hausa, non-Fulani, and non-Kanuri progressive Muslims in the North, as well as Christian minorities from the region, who believe in a united and equitable Nigeria.
Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and our political landscape should reflect this. The 2023 presidential election demonstrated that voters across regions prioritize issues such as good governance, equity, and quality representation over narrow ethnic or religious considerations.
Let us examine the facts from the 2023 presidential election:
President Tinubu’s performance in Northern states revealed varied voters preference, with significant support for candidates across religious and ethnic lines.
President Tinubu lost most of the Hausa , Fulani, and Kanuri Muslim-majority states in the North-East and North-West, with the exception of Zamfara, Jigawa, and Borno.
President Tinubu won most of the non-Hausa, non-Fulani and non-Kanuri Northern states such as Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi.
Katsina State, your home state, and Kanuri dominated Yobe state were won by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite the APC fielding a Northern Kanuri Muslim Vice Presidential candidate.
The Labour Party’s Peter Obi secured millions of votes in the North, demonstrating that voters allegiance in the North is not monolithic.
These outcomes suggest that an inclusive approach, one that embraces Northern Christians, and minority ethnic Muslims, could strengthen national cohesion and broaden political appeal.
Looking ahead to 2027, I believe a more strategic and unifying path for President Tinubu and the APC would be to select a Northern Christian running mate with cross-religious and cross-regional political engagement, proven record of service to humanity, and wide acceptability.
Mobilize substantial support from Northern Christians and Muslims in North Central states such as Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and the FCT.
Garner goodwill from Christian and Muslim minorities ethnic groups in all North Eastern and Western states.
Appeal to the Southern Christians who feel dissatisfied with the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 and voted against it.
Attract progressive Northern Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri Muslims who reject divisive politics and support a vision of One Nigeria.
By embracing this inclusive approach, President Tinubu could secure between 40–50% of the Northern vote, reducing dependence on any single bloc and building a truly national mandate.
As Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, you are uniquely positioned to champion a narrative of unity that celebrates Nigeria’s multifaceted identity.
I encourage you to use your office to advocate for a politics of inclusion, where leadership is based on merit, integrity, and a commitment to the collective good of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, regional or religious considerations.
Together, we can build a Nigeria where every citizen feels represented and empowered, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or region.
I trust that you will reflect on these points and continue to inspire a vision of harmony and progress for our beloved nation, Nigeria.
Signed:
Abimiku Dangana Solomon
Sincerely [North Central Tinubu Action Group]
