By Palang Paul, The Nigeria Times
The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has called on President Bola Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027, citing insecurity, economic hardship and concerns over accountability.
The group made the call on Friday, September 11, 2026, during a world press conference on the state of the nation, security, governance and the 2027 elections, themed “Nigeria at Another Crossroad.”
CSMN, led by Chairman of its Governing Council, Elder Sunday Oibe, said Nigeria could not afford to allow insecurity, poverty, institutional weakness and declining public confidence to undermine the country’s democratic future.
The organisation endorsed the position of the National Christian Elders Forum that Tinubu should not seek a second term, arguing that his administration’s performance had fallen short of the expectations of Nigerians.
“Nigeria is greater than the ambition of any individual,” CSMN said, urging the President to use the remainder of his tenure to strengthen democratic institutions, secure the country and facilitate what it described as a genuine constitutional settlement.
2027 election must not be a coronation
CSMN also warned that insecurity could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly citizens displaced from communities in the North-East, North-West and North Central.
It said displaced Nigerians must not become “invisible citizens”, stressing that every eligible voter must be able to register, obtain electoral documents, travel safely to polling centres and cast a ballot without intimidation.
“The 2027 election must be an election—not a coronation,” the organisation declared.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Assembly, the Judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that the electoral process is credible, transparent and capable of commanding public confidence.
CSMN raises concerns over Electoral Act 2026
The group expressed concern over provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly Section 138, which it said no longer expressly lists some qualification-related grounds, including certificate forgery, among grounds for challenging an election.
CSMN said the provision deserved serious national debate, particularly in the context of continuing public controversy over President Tinubu’s academic credentials.
It urged the National Assembly, INEC and the Judiciary to ensure that the 2027 electoral framework does not create public suspicion or weaken confidence in the electoral process.
Group demands stronger action against insecurity
On security, CSMN described the activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, Ansaru, bandit groups and other violent extremist and criminal networks as a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The group said a sovereign government could not permanently tolerate armed groups controlling territory, displacing citizens, intimidating communities and operating beyond the effective reach of security agencies.
It called on the Federal Government to take “decisive, sustained and transparent action” to protect vulnerable communities and bring perpetrators to justice.
CSMN also demanded greater transparency over the identity, financing, objectives and networks of terrorist groups operating in the country.
It said repeated failure to prevent attacks, protect communities and prosecute perpetrators raises serious questions about the capacity and accountability of the state.
Nigeria needs new constitutional settlement
The organisation further rejected the 1999 Constitution as an inadequate foundation for Nigeria’s political and federal structure.
It called for a new, negotiated constitution reflecting the aspirations of the country’s constituent peoples and supported renewed discussions around principles associated with the 1963 Republican Constitution, particularly greater devolution of responsibilities.
According to CSMN, Nigerians need a constitutional framework they can identify with, defend and regard as legitimate.
Church urged to unite ahead of 2027
CSMN also called on Christian leaders, denominations, organisations and political actors to develop what it described as a Christian Political Consensus Project ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group said it would convene consultations with Christian presidential aspirants and other stakeholders to facilitate dialogue towards what it called a credible political consensus.
It, however, stressed that its objective was not the persecution or exclusion of other citizens, but equal citizenship, constitutional democracy, freedom of worship, justice and security for all.
International community asked to monitor 2027
The organisation urged the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other international partners to closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 electoral process.
It called for international support for electoral integrity, human rights, religious freedom and the rule of law, warning that Nigeria’s importance to West Africa and the wider international community makes the credibility of its democratic process a matter of global concern.
CSMN demands accountability over public spending
On the economy, CSMN criticised what it described as persistent insecurity, high living costs, unemployment, food insecurity and inadequate electricity.
The group cited the World Bank’s assessment that about 61 per cent of Nigerians are below the national poverty line, while 79 per cent are either poor or vulnerable to falling back into poverty.
It also raised questions over the ₦17.5 trillion reflected in NNPCL’s 2024 accounts in connection with energy-security costs, under-recoveries and related petroleum-sector obligations.
CSMN said the figure should be subjected to full public explanation and scrutiny, stressing that public funds must be managed transparently and in accordance with appropriation and procurement requirements.
“Public money is not private money,” the organisation said, insisting that Nigerians have a right to know what was appropriated, spent, contracted and delivered.
CSMN raises religious balance concerns
The organisation also expressed concern over the continued Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, saying its position was not directed against Muslims but was based on concerns about religious balance in governance.
It said the Federal Government must demonstrate that it belongs equally to Christians, Muslims and adherents of traditional African religions.
CSMN further urged authorities not to dismiss or politicise reports of attacks against Christians, insisting that allegations of violence should be addressed through protection, investigation, prosecution and justice.
The organisation concluded by calling on the Federal Government to protect citizens, the National Assembly to defend constitutional democracy, INEC to safeguard the integrity of votes, the Judiciary to remain independent and the Church to unite.
“Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians,” CSMN said.
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