CSMN Warns 2027 Elections May Be ‘Coronation’
- Calls for New Constitution
- Advocates United Christian Front
By Ralph Madugu
The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria, CSMN, has warned that without urgent unity and constitutional reform, the 2027 general elections risk becoming a “coronation of a predetermined candidate” rather than a credible democratic contest.
CSMN is the socio-political arm of the Nigerian Church and has been vocal on issues of governance, security, and religious balance in Nigeria’s politics.
The warning was contained in resolutions issued at the end of CSMN’s 2026 Annual General Assembly held virtually on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
With the theme “Towards 2027: Election or Coronation,” the Movement condemned what it described as “unwarranted and unprovoked mindless killings” by Islamist terrorists and expressed condolences to Christian families and other Nigerians affected.
In the 16-point resolutions signed by Bosun Emmanuel, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Secretary of CSMN, on August 31, 2026, the advocacy group called for the immediate scrapping of the 1999 Constitution, describing it as a “military constitution” and “a Sharia constitution” that it said is at the root of Nigeria’s democratic and security crisis.
It urged the country to revert to the 1963 Republican Constitution or develop a new “people-oriented Constitution” to reset the polity.
The group also called on Christian leaders and ethnic nationality leaders to jointly seek an audience with President Bola Tinubu to demand a new constitution.
CSMN said the possibility of free, fair and credible elections in 2027 is “remote given the body language of the ruling Party.”
It denounced what it termed the “unconstitutional capture and undue control” of key government institutions by the ruling party, saying such interference undermines democracy and public confidence.
The Movement also criticized the retention of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the Tinubu administration, saying it “deepens religious imbalance, suspicion and heightens anxiety” in a multi-religious country.
According to CSMN, the ticket is “aimed at sending a signal to the international community that Nigeria is a Muslim country which is far from the truth.” It urged Christians to resist this at the polls by mobilizing to support a “religiously balanced presidential ticket.”
The group further called on the Nigerian Church to unite for political action, warning that disunity could enable what it called “sponsors of Sharia in Nigeria to continue to have their way.”
It announced plans to collaborate with Christian groups and leaders to conduct a “Christian political consensus project” ahead of 2027.
CSMN faulted the position of the Tinubu administration that there is no genocide against Christians perpetrated by Islamist extremists, describing it as “deeply troubling and unfortunate.”
It called on the Federal Government to acknowledge the killings and systematic persecution in affected communities and to take “decisive and transparent measures to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith.”
The Movement also appealed to the international community to pay close attention to the 2027 elections, saying further upheavals in Nigeria would have ripple effects on West Africa, Europe and the United States.
CSMN expressed concern over what it called the “reluctance of Christians to fund Christian advocacies” and said this could affect preparations for 2027.
It urged all Christians to contribute to the Movement, be mobilized to vote, and actively participate in defending democracy.
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