Christian Elders Reject Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Urge Tinubu to Drop 2027 Re-election Bid
Christian Elders Reject Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Urge Tinubu to Drop 2027 Re-election Bid
The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has renewed its opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, calling on the President to forgo a second-term bid in 2027 and instead focus on restructuring Nigeria and laying the foundation for a new constitutional order.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the Forum’s July 2026 meeting and signed by its Chairman, Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani.
The Christian elders said the Tinubu administration had failed to meet citizens’ expectations in critical areas, particularly security, economic management and public welfare, arguing that the government had not fulfilled its constitutional obligation under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which places the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
According to the Forum, the current trajectory of the administration has generated “increasing apprehension rather than hope,” prompting its appeal for the President to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
“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 communiqué stated.
The Forum also reiterated its criticism of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, describing it as “tone-deaf and grossly insensitive,” especially at a time when, according to the group, violent attacks by terrorists continue in several parts of the country.
It argued that the composition of the ticket had deepened concerns over inclusion and national cohesion, particularly among Christian communities affected by insecurity.
Beyond the presidency, the NCEF urged ethnic nationalities, socio-cultural organisations and civil society groups to begin mobilising support for the adoption of a new constitution before the 2027 general elections.
The Forum also called on the judiciary to remain impartial in handling election-related disputes, warning against any perception of bias that could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
Similarly, it urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold its independence by conducting free, fair and credible elections.
While acknowledging that the principle of North-South presidential rotation is not expressly provided for in the Constitution, the Forum said the arrangement has contributed to national stability, equity and inclusiveness over the years. It therefore appealed to Nigerians to support the continuation of power in the South in 2027 to complete what it described as the region’s remaining four-year tenure.
The communiqué also expressed concern over what it described as the weakening of key national institutions and called for an independent investigation into the activities of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), saying the controversy surrounding the body raises important governance questions.
The Christian elders maintained that Nigerians were yearning for meaningful reforms and improved governance, cautioning that the patience of citizens should not be taken for granted.
By TimesNG