2027: Christian Elders Back Southern Presidency

The National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to abandon his plans to seek re-election in 2027, urging him instead to devote the remainder of his tenure to restructuring Nigeria and laying the foundation for a new constitutional order.
In a communiqué issued after its July 2026 meeting, and signed by Samuel Danjuma Gani the Forum said the Tinubu administration has failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations in critical areas, particularly security, economic management and public welfare. 

The Christian elders argued that the administration has not fulfilled its constitutional responsibility under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which identifies the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government.
According to the Forum, the country’s current trajectory has generated growing anxiety rather than confidence, making it imperative for the President to reconsider his political future.
Rather than pursuing a second term, the group urged Tinubu to focus on reforms that would strengthen national unity, restructure the federation and facilitate the emergence of a new constitution capable of addressing Nigeria’s long-standing governance challenges.
The NCEF also renewed its opposition to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, describing it as insensitive to Nigeria’s religious diversity and the prevailing security situation. It maintained that the decision has continued to fuel concerns about inclusiveness and national cohesion, particularly among Christian communities affected by violence and insecurity.
Beyond the presidency, the Forum called on ethnic nationalities, socio-cultural organisations and civil society groups to intensify efforts toward the adoption of a new constitution before the 2027 general elections.
The elders further urged the judiciary to remain impartial in resolving electoral disputes and cautioned against actions that could undermine public confidence in the democratic process. They also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to uphold its independence by conducting elections that are free, fair and credible.
While noting that the principle of North-South power rotation is not expressly provided for in the Constitution, the Forum argued that it has helped promote equity, inclusion and political stability. 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.