The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has invited 13 Christian presidential candidates, including Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde and Donald Duke, to participate in a consensus-building process ahead of the 2027 general election.

The organisation said the initiative, known as the Christian Political Consensus Project, was designed to encourage dialogue among the candidates, identify areas of agreement and explore ways of harmonising their political interests in the interest of Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference virtually on Monday, Chairman, CSMN Governing Council, Elder Sunday Oibe, urged the candidates to prioritise national interest over personal ambition.

He said 2027 presidential election presented an opportunity for Christians to contribute to the emergence of ethical leadership capable of addressing the country’s security and governance challenges.

Oibe stressed that the initiative was not intended to compel any candidate to withdraw from the race or surrender his or her 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.

The organisation said the process required patience, mutual respect, credible criteria and a willingness to negotiate, noting that only one candidate could emerge as president after the election.

He said: “The 2027 presidential election presents the Christian community with an important opportunity and a serious challenge. CSMN has identified thirteen 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.

“The wider Christian community must also recognise that political consensus cannot be built through declarations alone; it requires patient consultation, credible criteria, 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.”

The movement’s appeal comes amid persistent insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, communal violence and poverty, which it said had continued to inflict suffering on Nigerians, displace famiies and destroy livelihoods.

Oibe argued that Christian unity, ethical leadership and meaningful participation in democratic governance were essential to the country’s recovery, warning that political fragmentation and apathy could weaken citizens’ capacity to influence decisions affecting their future.

According to the organisation, the Nigerian Church possesses 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,” it said.

CSMN urged Church leaders, Christian fellowships, professional associations, youth organisations and women’s groups to encourage informed voting, peaceful political participation and accountability in public office.

It maintained that Christians should move beyond criticism of government to constructive engagement with democratic institutions, adding 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, impartial law enforcement, transparency and accountability, expressing concern that failure to protect vulnerable communities and hold perpetrators accountable could deepen public distrust in government institutions.

It also cautioned against attempts to use religion, ethnicity or poverty to manipulate voters, insisting that public office should be treated 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 said its call for greater Christian participation in politics was not an attempt to promote religious domination but 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 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 served all citizens.

He called on the Christian community to place the welfare of the country above denominational differences, ethnic loyalties and partisan affiliations, while encouraging political participation consistent with democratic principles.

CSMN said the broader objective was to translate the Christian community’s collective resources into responsible civic action capable of advancing security, justice, freedom of worship and good governance.