By Hosea Parah
The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to seek reelection in 2027, urging him instead to dedicate the remainder of his tenure to restructuring Nigeria and facilitating the adoption of a new constitution.
The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued after the Forum’s July 2026 meeting, during which members reviewed the state of the nation and deliberated on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Dr Samuel Danjuma Gani, the Forum expressed concern over what it described as the Federal Government’s poor handling of security, the economy, and citizens’ welfare. It argued that the administration had failed to fulfil the constitutional responsibility outlined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
According to the Forum, Nigeria’s current challenges require comprehensive constitutional reforms rather than another election campaign. It therefore appealed to Tinubu to forgo a second-term bid and focus on laying the foundation for a restructured federation.
The NCEF also criticised the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, describing it as insensitive, given the country’s security situation, and the persistent attacks by terrorist groups, which it said have disproportionately affected Christian communities.
The Forum renewed its call for the adoption of a new constitution before the 2027 general elections and urged ethnic nationalities, socio-cultural organisations, and other stakeholders to work collectively toward achieving that goal.
On the electoral process, the Christian elders called on the judiciary to remain impartial in the resolution of election disputes and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold its constitutional independence by conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
The Forum reaffirmed its support for the informal North-South rotation of the presidency, describing it as a stabilising arrangement that promotes equity, inclusion, and national unity. It appealed to Nigerians to support a Southern presidential candidate in 2027 to complete the region’s remaining four-year tenure.
The communiqué further alleged that the weakening of national institutions under the current administration was reminiscent of the military era of General Ibrahim Babangida, warning against any erosion of democratic governance.
The NCEF also called for an independent investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal, describing the allegations as serious and deserving of transparent scrutiny.
The Forum concluded that Nigerians are demanding meaningful reforms and cautioned that the growing hardship and insecurity across the country should not be ignored.