“Pull Down 1999 Constitution”: Christian Group Rejects Muslim-Muslim Ticket, warns 2027 Risks Being “Coronation”

The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria, CSMN, has called on the Federal Government to urgently discard the 1999 Constitution, describing it as “a Sharia constitution” responsible for Nigeria’s democratic and security crises.

The group also rejected the retention of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of 2027, warning that it sends “a wrong signal” to the international community about Nigeria’s secularity.

The positions were contained in resolutions signed by CSMN CEO/Executive Secretary, Bosun Emmanuel, at the end of the group’s 2026 Annual General Assembly held under the theme “Towards 2027: Election Or Coronation?”

The meeting was attended by President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu; General Secretary of the Western Region of Nigeria Movement, Dr. Akin Fapohunda; Chairman, Board of Trustees of CSMN and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani; and Chairman of its Governing Council, Elder Sunday Oibe.

—CALL FOR NEW CONSTITUTION—

CSMN urged the government to “pull down” the 1999 military-era constitution and revert to the 1963 Republican Constitution, or midwife a new people-oriented constitution to “reset the polity and restore normalcy.”

“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… should be discarded for a new Constitution,” the group resolved.

It further resolved 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.”

The group also called for Christian leaders and ethnic nationality leaders to jointly seek audience with President Bola Tinubu to table issues of security and welfare, and to demand a new constitution “which was neither negotiated nor approved by Nigerians.”

—2027: “REMOTE CHANCE’ OF CREDIBLE POLL—

On the 2027 elections, CSMN said there was a “remote” possibility of a free, fair and credible poll “given the body language of the ruling Party.”

“That the Nigerian Church should, without further delay, unite for political action or the 2027 elections risk becoming a coronation of a predetermined candidate,” the group warned.

It also condemned what it described as “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.”

The group urged the international community to pay close attention to the 2027 elections, saying “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.”

—REJECTION OF MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET—

CSMN called on Christians to reject the Muslim-Muslim ticket fielded by the Tinubu administration, arguing it deepens religious imbalance in a multi-religious country.

“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 resolutions stated.

“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. Therefore, the Assembly urged all Christians to resist this signal at the polls by mobilizing to support a religiously balanced presidential ticket.”

—SECURITY, FUNDING AND UNITY—

The group also expressed concern over killings in parts of the country. It condoled with Christian families and other victims of what it termed “unwarranted and unprovoked mindless killings and other forms of atrocities perpetuated by Islamist terrorists.”

It 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.”

The Assembly called on government 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.”

On political mobilisation, CSMN resolved to lead a “Christian political consensus project” and urged Christians to fund advocacy efforts ahead of 2027.

“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,” it said, while also warning that “persistent disunity and inability of Christian groups to work together could enable the sponsors of Sharia in Nigeria to continue to have their way.”

The group concluded by urging all Christians to vote and participate actively “in ensuring the triumph of democracy in Nigeria.”