Christian Elders Urge Tinubu to Drop 2027 Re-election Bid, Pursue Constitutional Reset

The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider any plan to seek a second term in office in 2027, calling instead for what it described as a historic commitment to constitutional restructuring and national renewal before the end of his current tenure.

The position, which signals the group’s intervention in the unfolding political discourse ahead of the next general elections, was contained in a communique issued after the Forum’s July 2026 meeting and signed by its Chairman, Dr Samuel Danjuma Gani.

In the communique titled “Towards 2027 Elections,” the Forum said its deliberations centred on the country’s political direction, governance, security challenges, economic conditions and preparations for another electoral cycle.

According to the Forum, its assessment of the Federal Government’s performance informed its appeal that President Tinubu should focus on pursuing enduring institutional reforms rather than another presidential contest.

Quoting Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” the Forum argued that current national realities demand a renewed emphasis on constitutional and governance reforms.

The communique said “The direction in which the nation is being led by the Tinubu presidency offers increasing apprehension rather than hope and this state of affairs has left all patriots with no option but to call on President Tinubu to please desist from seeking re-election for a second term, but instead like a statesman with an eye on history and posterity, to earnestly commit the rest of his tenure to restructuring Nigeria and giving her a new constitution.”

The Forum also revisited concerns it had previously expressed over the composition of the current administration’s presidential ticket, arguing that it had generated unease among sections of the country.

It stated that the Muslim-Muslim presidency ticket is tone-deaf and grossly insensitive, particularly at a period, like now, when Islamist terrorists are ravaging the country, and Christians are at the receiving end of the widespread violence, unabated killings and unspeakable atrocities.

Beyond its position on the presidency, the NCEF proposed what it described as a broad-based national consensus on constitutional reform ahead of the next elections.

It called for the immediate mobilisation of ethnic nationalities, socio-cultural organisations and other relevant stakeholders to jointly champion the emergence of a new constitution before the 2027 general elections.

The Forum equally appealed to the judiciary to uphold impartiality in electoral adjudication, warning that public confidence in democratic institutions would depend significantly on the credibility of judicial decisions arising from future elections.

According to the communique, “That the judiciary be put on notice that the nation is now at a tipping point and can no longer afford any semblance of judicial bias in their handling of electoral matters.”

The Forum also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to preserve its institutional independence and continue to conduct credible elections that enjoy public confidence in democratic institutions, as the credibility of judicial decisions arising from future elections.

According to the communique, “That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remind itself that it is not an arm of any political party but a federal institution that must stay independent, neutral and beyond reproach to henceforth always deliver credible, free, and fair elections in Nigeria.”

On the issue of power rotation, the Christian elders maintained that although zoning is not expressly provided for in the Constitution, it remains an important political convention for maintaining national cohesion.

It further said, “That the North/South rotation of the presidency is not a written constitutional clause, but it is good and effectual for national stability, equity and inclusivity and for that reason, patriots are urged to support a Southern candidature in 2027 for the four remaining years of the South’s current turn.”

The Forum further expressed concerns over what it described as the state of public institutions and called for stronger accountability mechanisms across government.

It stated, “That flagrant compromise of national institutions by the current administration is reminiscent of the dark days of General Babangida’s military administration, and this is unacceptable and must be brought to the quickest halt.”

The NCEF also called for an independent investigation into issues surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying:

“That the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal is an indictment of the Tinubu administration and an urgent in-depth, independent enquiry into the scandal is mandatory.”

Concluding its resolutions, the Forum said Nigerians were increasingly looking forward to improved governance and urged political leaders to respond to public expectations with reforms capable of strengthening democratic institutions and improving citizens’ welfare.

It added, “That Nigerians obviously want a change for the better and the continued patience of the long-suffering public must no longer be taken for granted.”