The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has invited 13 Christian presidential candidates to participate in a consensus-building process ahead of the 2027 general election.
The initiative, known as the Christian Political Consensus Project, is aimed at encouraging dialogue among the candidates, identifying areas of agreement and exploring ways to harmonise their political interests in the interest of the country.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Chairman of CSMN’s Governing Council, Elder Sunday Oibe, urged the candidates to prioritise national interest over personal ambition.
He said the 2027 presidential election presented an opportunity for Christians to contribute to the emergence of ethical leadership capable of addressing Nigeria’s security and governance challenges.
Oibe clarified that the initiative was not intended to compel any candidate to withdraw from the race or surrender their constitutional right to contest the presidency.
He urged the candidates to approach the proposed consultations with open minds, present their visions for the country and consider areas where their political platforms and support bases could be harmonised.
According to him, the process would require patience, mutual respect, credible criteria and a willingness to negotiate, noting that only one candidate could emerge as president after the election.
“The 2027 presidential election presents the Christian community with an important opportunity and a serious challenge. The CSMN has identified 13 Christian presidential candidates seeking to lead Nigeria. Yet, after the election, only one person can emerge as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This reality calls for maturity, humility, dialogue and statesmanship.
“If these candidates remain divided by individual ambition and fail to explore common ground, the political strength represented by their supporters, networks and organisations may be weakened,” Oibe said.
He added that political consensus could not be achieved through declarations alone but required sustained consultations, mutual respect and a willingness to negotiate.
“We therefore call upon the Christian presidential candidates to participate in the Christian Political Consensus Project, convened by the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria,” he said.
The movement’s appeal comes amid persistent insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, communal violence and poverty, which it said had continued to cause suffering, displace families and destroy livelihoods across the country.
Oibe said Christian unity, ethical leadership and meaningful participation in democratic governance were essential to Nigeria’s recovery. He warned that political fragmentation and apathy could weaken citizens’ ability to influence decisions affecting their future.
According to the organisation, the Nigerian Church has considerable spiritual, intellectual, professional and organisational resources but cannot fully deploy them towards national development if Christians remain divided or withdraw from the democratic process.
“Political apathy does not leave the political space empty. It leaves decisions about leadership, public policy, security, education, the economy and the future of our children in the hands of those who participate,” the organisation said.
The CSMN urged Church leaders, Christian fellowships, professional associations, youth organisations and women’s groups to promote informed voting, peaceful political participation and accountability in public office.
It also called on Christians to move beyond criticising the government and engage constructively with democratic institutions, stressing that the Church had a responsibility to contribute to solutions to the country’s challenges.
On governance and national security, the group called for effective security measures, impartial law enforcement, transparency and accountability. It expressed concern that failure to protect vulnerable communities and hold perpetrators accountable could deepen public distrust in government institutions.
The CSMN also cautioned against attempts to manipulate voters through religion, ethnicity or poverty, insisting that public office should be regarded as a responsibility to serve citizens rather than a means of personal enrichment.
“Christian participation in politics must therefore be about more than gaining political office. It must be about promoting ethical leadership and building a nation that works for everyone,” it said.
The organisation maintained that its call for increased Christian participation in politics was not an attempt to promote religious domination but an effort to strengthen democratic institutions, defend constitutional freedoms and ensure equal protection for all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Oibe cited Sections 10 and 38(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which address the adoption of a state religion and guarantee freedom of thought, conscience and religion, respectively.
The movement said Nigeria needed a political system in which Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and people of other beliefs could coexist peacefully under a government that serves all citizens.
Oibe urged Christians to place the welfare of the country above denominational differences, ethnic loyalties and partisan affiliations while participating in politics in line with democratic principles.
The CSMN said its broader objective was to channel the Christian community’s collective resources into responsible civic action to promote security, justice, freedom of worship and good governance.
