National Christian Elders Forum To Tinubu: Don’t Seek Reelection In 2027; Restructure Nigeria Now

By Ayodele Oni

In a rather belated advice, a Group, National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF),  has an advice  for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Don’t participate in the Presidential Election.

President Tinubu is seeking a second term in office along with his Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

But NCEF thinks otherwise. The body is of the opinion that President Tinubu should not seek reelection in 2027; that he should, instead, opt to be a statesman with an eye on history and posterity, and, commit the rest of his first tenure to restructuring Nigeria and giving it a new Constitution.

The organisation also said the demand for a new Constitution for Nigeria before the 2027 elections should be jointly spearheaded, forthwith, by the ethnic nationalities under the socio-cultural groups and other relevant interest groups.

These were some of the resolutions contaibed in a communique issued at the end of the July meeting of the Christian elders which deliberated on the state of the nation, and reviewed the ongoing preparations for another cycle of elections in 2027.

The communique was signed by its chairman and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr Samuel Danjuma Gani.

Apart from Gani, other members of NCEF are Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary), Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North); Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South); Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Hon. Treasurer; Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okparaeke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe, JSC (Rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (Rtd), Elder Nat Okoro, Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Elder Matthew Owojaiye.

Others are DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof. (Mrs) Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Dr. Taiwo Idemudia (Diaspora), Elder Minso Gadzama, Apostle Bulus Musa Kewa, Admiral Peter Adeniyi (Rtd), Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu (Rtd) and Chief Sir Ferdinand Anikwe.

The communique reads, “That the Tinubu-led Federal Government’s performance in the critical areas of national security, economic development and the wellbeing of the citizenry has been hugely sub-optimal and manifestly disappointing vis a vis the unequivocal specification of Section 14(2)b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“That 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.

“That his Muslim-Muslim Presidency ticket is tone-deaf and grossly insensitive particularly at a period, like now, when Islamist terrorists are ravaging the country and Christians are at the receiving end of the widespread violence, unabated killings and unspeakable atrocities.

“That the call for a new constitution for Nigeria before the 2027 elections be jointly spearheaded forthwith by the ethnic nationalities under the socio-cultural groups and other relevant interest groups.

“That the judiciary be put on notice that the nation is now at a tipping point and can no longer afford any semblance of judicial bias in their handling of electoral matters.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should remind itself that it is not an arm of any political party but a federal institution that must stay independent, neutral and beyond reproach to henceforth always deliver credible, free, and fair elections in Nigeria.

“That the North/South rotation of the Presidency is not a written constitutional clause, but it is good and effectual for national stability, equity and inclusivity and for that reason, patriots are urged to support a Southern candidature in 2027 for the four remaining years of the South’s current turn.

“That flagrant compromise of national institutions by the current administration is reminiscent of the dark days of the General Babangida’s military administration and this is unacceptable and must be brought to the quickest halt.

“That the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal is an indictment of the Tinubu administration and an urgent in-depth, independent enquiry into the scandal is mandatory.

“That Nigerians obviously want a change for the better and the continued patience of the long-suffering public must no longer be taken for granted.”

The President’s Political Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, has already renominated him and Shettima for a second term. And, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has already cleared the ticket against the 2027 election.