Full text of WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE VIA ZOOM BY THE CHRISTIAN SOCIAL MOVEMENT OF NIGERIA (CSMN) ON THE STATE OF THE NATION, SECURITY, GOVERNANCE AND THE 2027 ELECTIONS HELD ON FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2026
Theme:
NIGERIA AT ANOTHER CROSSROAD
The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) addresses Nigerians, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Church, and the international community at a moment of profound national concern.
1. OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS OF TERRORISM
CSMN expresses its deepest condolences to Christians and other Nigerians who have lost loved ones to terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and other forms of violent extremism. We grieve with the widows, widowers, parents, children, and communities whose lives have been shattered by these attacks. We remember those who were murdered in their homes, on their farms, in their villages and places of worship.
As we make this statement on 11 September, we also pause to remember the terrible attacks of 11 September 2001, when terrorism struck the United States and claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people from America and many other nations. Twenty-five years later, the world has not forgotten those lives, the families who lost loved ones, the first responders who ran towards danger, or the extraordinary courage they displayed in the face of unimaginable evil That tragedy taught the world a timeless lesson: terrorism anywhere is a threat to humanity everywhere, and the defense of innocent life, human dignity, freedom and peaceful coexistence must unite us across nations, faiths and political boundaries. As Nigeria confronts its own painful experience of terrorism and violent extremism, we remember the victims of 9/11 and all victims of terrorism around the world—not merely with sorrow, but with renewed determination that fear must never triumph over courage, hatred must never overcome love, and violence must never be allowed to extinguish our collective hope for a safer, freer and more peaceful world.
The continued killing of innocent citizens in Nigeria is a national tragedy and a profound failure of the state’s most fundamental responsibility: the protection of life. CSMN, therefore, calls upon the federal government to take decisive, sustained, and transparent action to defeat terrorism and protect vulnerable communities. These lives are not merely statistics. Every victim was someone’s father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, or child.
When the government repeatedly fails to prevent attacks, protect communities, and bring perpetrators to justice, it inevitably raises serious questions about the capacity, commitment, and accountability of the state. The federal government must, therefore, do everything within its constitutional powers to dispel any perception of complicity, indifference, or tolerance towards terrorist organisations. We also call for greater transparency regarding the identity, financing, objectives, and networks of terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
2. TERRORISM AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF NIGERIA
The continued operations of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, Wulowulo, Ansaru, Bandits, JNIM, Al-Qaeda-linked groups, armed Fulani militias and other violent extremist and criminal networks constitute a grave assault on the sovereignty of Nigeria. A sovereign government cannot permanently tolerate armed groups, establishing effective control, intimidating communities, displacing citizens, and operating beyond the reach of law-enforcement agencies.
The issue is not simply security. It is also democracy.
If large numbers of Nigerians in parts of the North-East, North-West, and North Central are unable to return safely to their homes, farms, and communities, how can they freely participate in the 2027 elections? Displaced citizens must not become invisible citizens. CSMN is particularly concerned that insecurity could create conditions in which legitimate voters are disenfranchised while opportunities arise for electoral manipulation. The federal government must, therefore, make the restoration of security in affected communities an urgent national priority well before the 2027 elections. Every Nigerian must be able to register, obtain the necessary electoral documents, travel safely to polling centres, and cast a vote without intimidation.
3. NIGERIA NEEDS A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL SETTLEMENT
CSMN maintains that the 1999 Constitution has failed to provide an adequate foundation for Nigeria’s peculiar political, ethnic, religious, and federal circumstances. We therefore support the demand for a new, genuinely negotiated constitution that reflects the consent and aspirations of Nigeria’s constituent peoples.
CSMN further supports renewed dialogue with the country’s socio-cultural and ethnic-nationality organisations on the principles underlying the 1963 Republican Constitution, particularly its federal structure and greater devolution of responsibilities.
Our position is simple: Nigeria requires a constitutional settlement that Nigerians can identify with, defend, and regard as legitimate. We call upon Christians and the various ethnic nationalities to work together peacefully and democratically towards this objective.
4. THE ELECTORAL ACT 2026 AND THE CREDIBILITY OF 2027
CSMN is deeply concerned about provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the removal of qualification-related grounds such as certificate forgery from the grounds expressly listed for challenging an election. Section 138 now provides that an election may be questioned principally where it was invalid because of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the Act, or where the declared winner was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes.
Whatever the legal rationale for the amendment, its implications deserve serious national debate. No democracy should create the perception that questions concerning the qualifications or integrity of candidates can not receive effective judicial scrutiny. This concern is particularly sensitive in the context of the continuing public controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials.
CSMN, therefore, calls on the National Assembly, INEC, the Judiciary, and all stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 electoral framework inspires public confidence rather than suspicion.
The 2027 election must be an election—not a coronation.
Nigerians must be free to choose, reject, question, and replace their leaders through credible, transparent, and lawful democratic processes.
5. SECURITY AND WELFARE MUST BE THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution declares that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
CSMN believes that this constitutional standard must be applied honestly to the performance of every administration. Under the present government, Nigerians continue to face insecurity, high living costs, unemployment, food insecurity, and inadequate electricity. The World Bank’s current assessment paints a sobering picture: about 61% of Nigerians are below the national poverty line, while 79% are either poor or vulnerable to falling back into poverty.
These figures can not be dismissed as mere economic statistics. Behind them are families unable to afford food, parents unable to pay school fees, young people without jobs, and citizens whose standard of living have deteriorated dramatically. CSMN, therefore, rejects the idea that Nigerians should simply endure indefinite hardship while those in positions of power enjoy the privileges of office.
The government must ultimately be judged by the conditions in which ordinary citizens live—not merely by official statistics, announcements, or political rhetoric.
6. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE
CSMN is also concerned about the management of public resources.
For example, questions have been raised about the ₦17.5 trillion reflected in NNPCL’s 2024 accounts in relation to energy-security costs, under-recoveries, and related petroleum-sector obligations. The figure deserves full public explanation and scrutiny.
CSMN is not opposed to legitimate expenditure on energy security or infrastructure protection. Our concern is accountability, transparency, and value for money.
Similarly, major infrastructure projects must comply with appropriation and procurement requirements. Nigerians have a right to know what was appropriated, what was spent, who received contracts, and what value was delivered.
Public money is not private money. Every naira belongs ultimately to the Nigerian people, and every public officer is a trustee of the resources entrusted to government.
7. RELIGION, GOVERNANCE, AND THE MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET
CSMN remains concerned about the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in a country as religiously diverse as Nigeria. Our objection is not to the faith of any individual Muslim citizen. Muslims are equal citizens of Nigeria, just as Christians are.
Our concern is the perception and reality of religious balance in governance, particularly at a time when Christians in several parts of the country are suffering attacks by violent Islamist extremist groups.
Section 10 of the Constitution provides that: “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.”
The government must therefore demonstrate, through its policies and actions, that it belongs equally to Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional African religions. We are particularly troubled by official attempts to dismiss or minimize claims of systematic genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Whatever terminology is ultimately used to describe the violence, the killing of Christians must not be denied, trivialized, or politicized. The appropriate responses are protection, investigation, prosecution, and justice.
8. CHRISTIAN UNITY AND THE 2027 ELECTIONS
CSMN calls upon the Nigerian Church to end political fragmentation and urgently develop a responsible strategy for the 2027 elections. The Church can not remain politically indifferent, while decisions made by governments directly affect security, religious freedom, education, the economy, justice, and the future of our children.
We therefore call upon Christian leaders, denominations, organizations, and political actors to work together towards a Christian Political Consensus Project.
CSMN shall convene consultations with Christian presidential aspirants and other relevant stakeholders with the objective of facilitating dialogue towards a credible political consensus. We urge Christians to participate peacefully and lawfully in the electoral process, register to vote, obtain their electoral documents, and vote according to conscience.
Our objective must not be the persecution or exclusion of other citizens. Our objective is equal citizenship, constitutional democracy, freedom of worship, justice, and security for all.
9. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST WATCH 2027
CSMN calls upon the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other international partners to pay close attention to Nigeria’s 2027 electoral process.
International observers and partners should support electoral integrity, transparency, human rights, religious freedom, and the rule of law.
Nigeria is too important to West Africa and the wider world for the international community to look away if democratic institutions are weakened or citizens are prevented from freely choosing their leaders.
10. OUR POSITION ON PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION
CSMN endorses the position of the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) that President Bola Tinubu should not seek a second term, based on what CSMN considers to be the sub-optimal performance of his administration. We particularly cite the continuing insecurity, widespread economic hardship, concerns about accountability, and the failure to meet the expectations Nigerians legitimately placed on government.
Nigeria is greater than the ambition of any individual. No individual should place personal political ambition above the survival, unity, and welfare of the nation.
CSMN therefore calls upon President Tinubu to consider a different legacy: use the remainder of his tenure to facilitate a genuine constitutional settlement, strengthen democratic institutions, secure the nation and leave Nigeria better than he found it.
CONCLUSION
Nigeria is at a crossroads, and the decisions we make now will shape not only the 2027 elections but the character and direction of the Nigerian nation for years to come.
We can continue along a path of insecurity, division, poverty, institutional weakness, and declining public confidence—or we can choose a different path. CSMN chooses the path of democracy, justice, security, accountability, constitutional reform, and equal citizenship.
We call upon the federal government to protect Nigerians. We call upon the National Assembly to defend constitutional democracy. We call upon INEC to protect the integrity of every vote. We call upon the judiciary to remain independent and courageous. We call upon the Church to unite.
The 2027 election must be an election, not a coronation.
Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.
God bless Nigeria.
Elder Sunday Oibe
Chairman, Governing Council
Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN)
September 11, 2026
