By John Alechenu

ABUJA — The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria, CSMN, has said the 2027 general elections must be a genuine contest and not a coronation, warning that insecurity, poverty and declining trust in the electoral process could undermine democracy.

The group stated this at a world press conference on the state of the nation, security, governance and the 2027 elections in Abuja on Friday.

The conference was themed, “Nigeria at Another Crossroad.”

Chairman of the Governing Council of CSMN, Elder Sunday Oibe, who read the group’s position, condoled with families of victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.

The group described the killing of innocent citizens as a national tragedy and a failure of the state’s responsibility to protect lives.

It said the continued activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits and other armed groups constituted an assault on Nigeria’s sovereignty, warning that displaced Nigerians must not become “invisible citizens.”

“If large numbers of Nigerians in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central are unable to return safely to their homes, how can they freely participate in the 2027 elections?” it queried.

CSMN called on the Federal Government to restore security in affected communities before the 2027 elections to enable citizens to register and vote without intimidation.

The group also called for a new constitutional settlement, arguing that the 1999 Constitution had failed to provide an adequate foundation for Nigeria’s federal realities.

It consequently supported dialogue on the principles underlying the 1963 Republican Constitution.

On electoral credibility, CSMN expressed concern over provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly Section 138, which it said limited the grounds for challenging elections.

The group said the provision deserved national debate to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

“No democracy should create a perception that questions concerning the qualifications or integrity of candidates cannot receive effective judicial scrutiny,” it said.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, CSMN said Nigerians continued to face insecurity, high living costs and unemployment.

It cited a World Bank assessment which it said placed the proportion of Nigerians living below the poverty line at about 61 per cent.

The group also called for greater accountability in public expenditure, including an explanation of the N17.5 trillion reflected in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s 2024 accounts as energy security costs.

On religion and governance, CSMN said the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a religiously diverse country raised concerns about political balance.

It urged the government to demonstrate that it belonged equally to Nigerians of all faiths.

The group also called on the Nigerian Church to end political fragmentation and develop a strategy for the 2027 elections.

It said it would convene consultations with Christian presidential aspirants towards building political consensus.

CSMN further urged the international community, including the United States, European Union and United Kingdom, to pay close attention to the 2027 electoral process.

On President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, the group aligned with the National Christian Elders Forum’s position that the President should not seek a second term, citing insecurity, economic hardship and accountability concerns.

“Nigeria is greater than the ambition of any individual. No individual should place personal political ambition above the survival, unity and welfare of the nation,” it said.

The group urged the President to use the remainder of his tenure to facilitate a constitutional settlement, strengthen democratic institutions and secure the country.