Nigerian bishops demand constitution overhaul amid rising religious violence

2026-03-17 - 17:23

By Adeola Badru A coalition of senior Nigerian clerics has intensified calls for a complete constitutional overhaul, warning that the country’s current legal framework is deepening divisions and failing to guarantee fairness across religious lines. The demand was issued in Lagos on Tuesday by bishops operating under the Calvary Grace International College of Bishops (CGCOB), who gathered at PISTIS Hub, Maryland, ahead of a ministers’ empowerment conference themed ‘Fresh Oil for Great Exploits’ (Psalm 92:10). Addressing journalists, the CGCOB Prelate, Francis Wale Oke, who also leads the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, delivered a sweeping critique of Nigeria’s constitution, arguing that it does not reflect the country’s religious balance and must be replaced. “That constitution does not cater for the whole of Nigeria. It does not take into cognisance more than 50 per cent of the population. So let’s scrap it and have one that is fair and just for everybody,” he declared. At the heart of the bishops’ position is what they described as structural bias, particularly the inclusion of Islamic and Sharia provisions without what they consider equivalent recognition of Christianity, despite their claim that Christians account for more than half of Nigeria’s population. Oke maintained that the state must either completely disengage from religion or ensure equal representation of all faiths within its legal framework. “Religion should be a private matter. The state should only regulate it to ensure that nobody kills in the name of religion,” he said. The cleric also linked the constitutional debate to broader security concerns, alleging that violence across parts of the country is frequently justified on religious grounds. He cited activities of groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State, alongside bandits and other armed factions. In a direct appeal, he urged the Sultan of Sokoto to take a more assertive stance against perpetrators. “I challenge the Sultan to call these people to order. Silence in the face of this menace suggests complicity,” he stated. The bishops expressed particular alarm over continued killings in Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State and parts of Borno State, describing the incidents as targeted attacks on Christian communities. Oke recounted testimonies from affected areas, including a reported massacre in which more than 500 people were allegedly killed in a single predominantly Christian settlement, adding that such incidents have left enduring trauma among victims and faith leaders. Drawing international attention to the crisis, he referenced comments by former United States President Donald Trump, arguing that the situation constitutes an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria. He called on the Federal Government to escalate its response through stronger collaboration with global partners, while insisting that any external aggression must be treated as a matter of national defence. “If they are foreigners invading Nigeria, then the full weight of the military must be deployed. The government has a duty to defend the territorial integrity of the nation,” he said. Despite the sharp tone of his remarks, Oke stressed that the church’s position is not anti-Islam, but firmly opposed to violence and extremism, urging Nigerians of all faiths to coexist peacefully. He further challenged Christians to abandon political apathy and engage more actively in governance, from grassroots participation in political parties to broader civic involvement. “If we keep saying politics is dirty and stay away, then we allow the system to remain dirty. We must get involved and change it,” he said. He, however, urged citizens to obtain voter cards, participate fully in elections, and continue to pray for peace, unity and stability across the country.