Court Ruling Didn’t Affirm Anyone As Chairman — Northern CAN

The chairman of  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the FCT,  Rev. Yakubu Pam, has said that contrary to narratives circulating in the media, the recent federal high court ruling did not in any way affirm or legitimise Rev. Joseph Hayab’s claim to the chairmanship of the association.

Reacting to the Kaduna federal high court ruling through a statement issued by the secretary of northern CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe, the association said it was unfortunate and misleading that some individuals had resorted to media propaganda to misinform the public over the judgment.

CAN called on its members across the Northern States to remain calm, focused, prayerful, and to disregard the ongoing media distortions.

The statement titled “Our response to the ruling of the Kaduna federal high court delivered on November 27, 2025” stated:

“We wish to address the recent ruling concerning the suit we filed challenging the legitimacy of the purported election through which Mr Joseph Hayab declared himself chairman of northern CAN in February 2025.”

CAN noted that its position has been consistent, Mr Hayab convened and conducted a hurried and irregular exercise, mobilising a few individuals and announcing himself chairman on the claim that Rev. Yakubu Pam’s tenure had expired.

The executive committee had, however, formally extended Rev. Pam’s tenure to allow for the completion of work on a new by-law governing elections.

The statement said even if Rev. Pam’s tenure had expired, the process that produced Mr Hayab was fundamentally flawed and did not follow due process, transparency, or established procedure.

It further stated that the court ruled that CAN in the 19 northern States and the FCT is not a registered association known to law, notwithstanding its constitution or operational by-laws.

Since the association is not registered under any law and does not operate in conformity with the 1999 Constitution, the Court held that it cannot sue or be sued and lacks legal recognition or backing.

CAN argued that by implication, if northern CAN is not recognized as a legal entity, then any claim by Mr Hayab to the position of chairman also lacks legal standing.

The association stated that the court did not address the substantive issue it raised, whether a non-member of an organisation can validly conduct an election for that body and expect such an exercise to receive legal backing.

CAN insisted that the ruling did not affirm or legitimise Mr Hayab’s claim to chairmanship, contrary to media reports.

The group said it is awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling to determine its next line of action.