2027: CSMN demands Christian president, warns of threats to Nigeria’s secularity
By Emmanuel Ntekim
ABUJA — The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has called for the emergence of a Christian president in the 2027 general elections, warning that a continuation of the current “religious imbalance” in leadership could jeopardise Nigeria’s secular identity and national cohesion.
This demand was the centerpiece of resolutions reached during a virtual Christian Leadership Conference held on 23 March, 2026.
During the session, ministers from various denominations reviewed the state of the nation and established a strategic roadmap for the 2027 polls.
In a communiqué signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, the group argued that the emergence of another Muslim president in 2027 could result in 24 years of uninterrupted Muslim leadership (2015–2039).
The CSMN contended that such a development would fundamentally upset the nation’s delicate socio-political equilibrium.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of every Nigerian to seek office, the conference maintained that a Christian president in 2027 is essential to, restore balance to the federal polity, reinforce the country’s secular foundation, and
mitigate rising sectional and religious anxieties.
Beyond electoral politics, the Christian leaders expressed “grave concern” over the worsening security crisis and the plight of millions in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps.
Citing a June 2025 United Nations report, the group noted that over 8.18 million Nigerians remain displaced. The communiqué condemned what it described as “government insincerity” regarding victims of insurgency and ethnoreligious violence.
Furthermore, the conference accused the Federal Government of downplaying attacks on Christian communities in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt, asserting that the scale of the killings aligns with the definition of genocide.
The CSMN also condemned the killings of Hausa communities by armed militias, and urged the government to provide equal protection for all ethnic and religious groups.
Moreover, tfe communiqué criticized “government-backed land grabbing” via grazing reserves and RUGA initiatives and called on the Benue State Government to reconsider any plans to allocate ancestral lands to “repentant terrorists.”
The group urged the Nigerian Church to move past political apathy and embrace active roles in governance and civic leadership.
”Christian youths must be deliberately mobilised and educated on evolving political realities to ensure robust participation in future elections,” the communiqué stated.
To achieve these goals, the conference recommended that church denominations should establish dedicated forums to coordinate governance advocacy and policy participation and work closely with the CSMN to create a unified front ahead of 2027.
It proposed a minimum monthly contribution of ₦500 by Christians nationwide to fund advocacy and support displaced persons.
The conference concluded with a plea for unity, stressing that only a coordinated political strategy can effectively address the growing threats to justice, equity, and national stability in Nigeria.
Their concern is noted. But come to think of it, since when was Nigeria’s presidency a subject of religious zoning?