The National Christian Elders Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to abandon any plan to seek a second term in the 2027 presidential election, describing his administration as “manifestly disappointing” and urging him to devote the remainder of his tenure to restructuring Nigeria and delivering a new constitution.
NCEF said that Tinubu’s Muslim Muslim presidential ticket has “confirmed the persecution of Christians in Nigeria to the world,” as it rejected his bid for a second term, arguing that the arrangement endangered national unity and was insensitive amid growing insecurity affecting Christian communities.
In a communiqué dated July 9 and signed by its National Chairman, Samuel Gani, the forum said the Federal Government’s performance in national security, economic development and the welfare of citizens has been “hugely sub optimal.”
According to the forum, the direction of the Tinubu administration has created increasing apprehension instead of hope, leaving patriotic Nigerians with no choice but to appeal to the President to step aside from the 2027 race.
“The direction in which the Tinubu presidency is leading the nation 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,” the communiqué stated.
The group urged Tinubu to act as a statesman by focusing on reforms that would define his legacy, saying he should “earnestly commit the rest of his tenure to restructuring Nigeria and giving her a new constitution.”
Beyond opposing Tinubu’s re election, the NCEF declared its support for a southern presidential candidate in 2027, effectively rejecting the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s north south power rotation arrangement is not enshrined in the Constitution, the forum insisted it remains essential for national stability and unity.
“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 group said.
The forum also renewed its criticism of the Muslim Muslim presidential ticket that brought Tinubu to power, describing it as “tone deaf and grossly insensitive” considering the country’s worsening security situation.
According to the elders, the ticket became even more troubling at a time when terrorists are ravaging parts of the country and Christians continue to suffer widespread violence, unabated killings and other atrocities.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, the NCEF cautioned the judiciary against any form of bias in handling election related cases, warning that Nigeria is at a critical point and cannot afford judicial partiality.
The forum also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to protect its independence and ensure that the next general election is credible, free and fair.
In addition, the group demanded an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, describing the issue as another indictment of the current administration.
Drawing a comparison with the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, the NCEF alleged that the compromise of national institutions under the current administration was reminiscent of one of Nigeria’s darkest political periods.
“The 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 communiqué stated.
The forum concluded that Nigerians are demanding genuine and far reaching change, warning that citizens who have endured prolonged economic hardship should no longer be taken for granted.
