The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN), in collaboration with several Christian coalitions, on Wednesday convened a national Consultative Assembly to address what it described as escalating threats against Christian communities across the country. The meeting, which featured spiritual reflections, data-driven analysis, historical reviews, and constitutional presentations, culminated in a set of far-reaching resolutions aimed at the Church and the Nigerian government.
Key speakers included Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman of the CSMN Governing Council; Engr. Mark Lipdo; Dr. Tony Nwaezeigwe; Barrister Tony Nnadi; and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, CEO of CSMN. Participants engaged in an interactive session after the presentations, adding their perspectives to the issues raised.
The Assembly said it reviewed extensive reports of attacks on Christian communities and concluded that evidence pointed to “sustained, vicious, and targeted violence” allegedly carried out by Islamic terrorist groups. It urged the Church to adopt “a unified and unambiguous voice” on what it repeatedly described as an ongoing genocide.
The Assembly welcomed what it called the intervention efforts of the United States government and appealed for “expedited action” to help end the bloodshed.
Participants also criticized some Christian leaders whom they accused of downplaying the scale of the attacks. According to the Assembly, such leaders had previously acknowledged widespread killings but later changed their stance “due to compromise and political patronage.”
Despite being Nigeria’s largest demographic bloc, Christians have failed to maximize their electoral strength, the Assembly observed. Delegates urged churches and Christian bodies to rally around the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria as the Church’s socio-political platform, with the goal of building stronger political influence and supporting “righteous leadership” in the country.
A major point of deliberation was Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which the Assembly identified as “a key driver of instability” and an enabler of extremist infiltration. Delegates called for a complete renegotiation of Nigeria’s constitutional framework by its ethnic nationalities, arguing that the current structure accommodates competing ideologies — democracy and Sharia — leading to persistent national friction.
The Assembly endorsed the U.S. government’s reported assessment that ideological and expansionist motives — not climate or economic factors — were driving the attacks on Christian communities. It urged the Federal Government to initiate a national conference to reaffirm democracy as the sole governing ideology.
Presenters shared data indicating a sharp rise in attacks, with November 2025 described as “a particularly terrible month” for violence in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states. The Assembly warned that the attacks were spreading southward and called on the Federal Government to act decisively to prevent a nationwide breakdown of law and order.
Funding Model for Advocacy
To bolster Christian advocacy, the Assembly endorsed a ₦500-per-month contribution model for all Nigerian Christians. Funds would support internally displaced persons (IDPs), media campaigns, legal interventions, and advocacy efforts through the Lay Faithful Trust Foundation (www.layfaithful.org).
Delegates also condemned the practice of Christian ministries relying on funding from government officials, politicians, or “opposing faiths,” insisting that financial independence is critical for credible Christian advocacy.
In its final resolution, the Assembly announced plans to convene another major meeting focused specifically on designing a new constitutional arrangement for Nigeria — a step it described as essential for achieving lasting peace and unity.
The communiqué was signed by Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, CEO of CSMN, on behalf of the organization’s Governing Council.
