The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN), a socio-political arm of the Nigerian Church, has opposed the ruling All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim ticket citing genocide, and lack of inclusion.
The group is calling on the Federal Government to either return to the 1963 Republican Constitution or draft a new constitution that better reflects the people’s interests.
This call is contained in resolutions reached at the 2026 Annual General Assembly of CSMN titled “Towards 2027: Election Or Coronation?” and signed by CSMN CEO/Executive Secretary, Bosun Emmanuel.
“All Christians should be mobilized to vote”
They noted, “That all Christians should be mobilized to vote and participate actively in ensuring the triumph of democracy in Nigeria.”
The body maintained that “the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket by the Tinubu administration in a multi-religious country is condemnable because it deepens religious imbalance, suspicion and heightens anxiety amongst the citizens.”
The association also observed that “the Muslim-Muslim ticket is aimed at sending a signal to the international community that Nigeria is a Muslim country, which is far from the truth,” stressing that “Therefore, the Assembly urged all Christians to resist this signal at the polls by mobilizing to support a religiously balanced presidential ticket.”
The socio-political association warned that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has deepened religious imbalance and created suspicion, heightening anxiety in a multi-religious country.
“Genocide against Christians [is] perpetrated by Islamist extremists”
CSMN, which lamented that the government is giving the global community a false impression about Nigeria’s secularity, used the occasion to empathise with Christian families whose loved ones have been murdered in cold blood by Islamist terrorists.
“That the position of the Tinubu’s administration that there is no genocide against Christians perpetrated by Islamist extremists is deeply troubling and unfortunate. The General Assembly therefore calls on the Tinubu administration to acknowledge the gravity of the killings and systematic persecution of Christians in affected communities, and to take decisive and transparent measures to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith, while reassuring the Christian community that the Federal Government is committed to religious neutrality, justice, and equal protection of every citizen.”
“A Sharia constitution” root of the “security crisis in Nigeria”
The body also lamented, “That the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is a Sharia constitution and it is at the root of the democratic and security crisis in Nigeria and as earlier pointed out, should be discarded for a new Constitution.”
On the forthcoming elections in 2027, the body affirmed that, “the Nigerian Church should, without further delay, unite for political action or the 2027 elections risk becoming a coronation of a predetermined candidate.
“That the unconstitutional capture and undue control by the ruling political party of key government institutions established to uphold the rule of law, justice, accountability, and credible elections in Nigeria should be strongly denounced by every well-meaning Nigerian, as such interference undermines democracy, weakens public confidence in state institutions, and constitutes a disservice to the nation.
“That without fear of equivocation, the possibility of a free, fair and credible elections in 2027 is remote given the body language of the ruling Party.”
Return to the 1963 Republican Constitution
The association urged President Tinubu to return to the 1963 Constitution or debut a new inclusive constitution.
“That Christians should urgently collaborate with the ethnic nationalities to demand a return to the 1963 Republican Constitution upon which Nigeria was established as a country.
“That all Christian groups and leaders should collaborate with the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria to conduct a Christian political consensus project.
“That Christian leaders and leaders of ethnic nationalities should jointly seek audience with President Tinubu to table before him issues affecting the security and welfare of Nigerians as well as demand for a new Constitution in replacement of the 1999 Constitution which was neither negotiated nor approved by Nigerians.
“That the reluctance of Christians to fund Christian advocacies like the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria might have negative consequences on the preparations for the 2027 elections. The General Assembly called on all Christians to contribute to support the Movement.
“That the persistent disunity and inability of Christian groups to work together could enable the sponsors of Sharia in Nigeria to continue to have their way.”
International Community should “pay close attention to the 2027 elections”
They also urged the “International Community…to pay close attention to the 2027 elections and assist in ensuring that it is credible because further upheavals in Nigeria would have ripple effects on the West African sub-region as well as upon Europe and the United States of America.”
The event drew notable attendees, including Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), and Dr. Akin Fapohunda, General Secretary of the Western Region of Nigeria Movement (WRNM), both of whom served as guest speakers.
Also present were Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CSMN and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, along with Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman of its Governing Council.
