The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chapter for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is embroiled in a leadership crisis as two factions vie for control.
The two factions held different press conferences in Kaduna where they made efforts to assert their legitimacy.
Speaking on Tuesday, Elder Sunday Oibe, Secretary General of the faction led by Rev. Yakubu Pam, affirmed that they remain the rightful leaders of Northern CAN, with Pam continuing as chairman.
Addressing concerns over tenure expiration, he emphasised that they still hold the association’s documents, structures, and assets.
Oibe said, “Last week, a group which called itself ‘Concerned Christian Elders of the North,’ led by one Joseph Hayab, invited some people to a meeting in Abuja. At the meeting, he decided to appoint himself as the chairman of the Christian Association in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
Oibe criticised Rev. Hayab’s actions as a “religious coup” and accused him of breaching Northern CAN’s constitution.
“We want to make it clear that Hayab is not a member of Northern CAN, and his actions are those of an individual with personal motives rather than a genuine desire to serve the Christian community.
“The so-called ‘Concerned Christian Elders of the North’ is a recent creation by Hayab and his associates to orchestrate their mischief.”
Meanwhile, at a separate press conference in Kaduna, Rev. Hayab maintained that he is the newly elected chairman of Northern CAN.
He argued that the previous leadership’s tenure had expired.
“It was very clear that, constitutionally, the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam and his officials has expired.
“It expired over two years ago. They were re-elected in 2019 for an office that has a three-year tenure. We are now in 2025. So they have overstayed in office for over two years.
“And constitutionally, they cannot conduct or be involved in this CAN election. Instead of them addressing the issue at hand, which is the expiration of tenure, they are busy insulting people, calling others all sorts of names.
“We will not join issues with them. But we will do the right thing for the development and progress of Northern CAN,” Hayab said.
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