The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 northern states and the federal capital is experiencing leadership crises involving struggle for power between two factions.
A faction of Rev. Yakubu Pam has insisted on remaining in the chairmanship position of the Association of which the Rev. Joseph Hayab’s faction claimed Pam’s tenure has expired two years ago, giving room for an election which has brought him to power.
Pam’s faction however dismissed the Hayab’s election, calling it a religious coup and fraudulent act which does not follow the due process.
Meanwhile, the secretary general of CAN on the side of Pam’s faction, Sunday Oibe addressed the press on Tuesday at Kaduna, dismissing Hayab’s election and insisting that Pam remained the legitimate chairman of northern CAN.
“The leadership of Rev. Yakubu Pam, the legitimate Chairman of Northern CAN, remains intact. Under Northern CAN’s bylaws, the Chairman serves a four-year tenure, which is renewable for another term,” Oibe stated.
He further claimed that Hayab led a meeting to appoint himself into the position, calling such action illegal and fraudulent which amounts to a coup.
According to him, “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),”
“His co-travelers were also appointed to various positions as members of his executive. Their action, to say the least, is not only illegal, crude, and self-serving, but divisive and tantamount to a religious coup.”
Moreso, Oibe expressed that Hayab only has a selfish motive and not a genuine desire to serve the Christian Community.
“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.” Oibe said.
In contrast, Hayab maintained that his actions were legitimate, claiming he owns the leadership position of the house since Pan’s tenure has expired two years ago.
According to him “Constitutionally, the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam and his officials has expired—it expired over two years ago. They were reelected in 2019 for the office that has a three-year life span tenure.”
“We are now in 2025. So they have overstayed in the 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 take issues with them. But we will do the right thing for the development and progress of Northern CAN.”
The leadership crisis has showed lack of unity amidst the Northern CAN which has raised concerns in the Christian body at large.
