Anxiety as Northern CAN factions differ on leadership, tenure

A leadership tussle has surfaced in the Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over tenure elongation crisis.

Former Kaduna State Chairman of CAN, Reverend Joseph Hayab, on Monday, insisted that he was duly elected as Northern CAN Chairman recently at the expiration of Reverend Yakubu Pam-led leadership.

But, defending the group, led by Rev. Pam, the outgoing General Secretary, Sunday Oibe, disclaimed the new group, led by Hayab, for allegedly organising an election of new officials without following due process.

Hayab said: “It is 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 the office that has three-year life span. 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 to address the issue at hand, which is expiration of tenure, they are busy insulting people, calling others all sorts of name. We will not join issues with them. But we will do the right thing for the development and progress of Northern CAN.”

However, the Pam group described the newly elected officials as “mischief makers bent on destabilising the association for selfish and political purposes.”
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Secretary General of the CAN, who spoke for the Pam faction, Oibe, claimed: “The action of Rev. Hayab amounted to religious coup, fraudulent and illegal.”

He went on: “Last week, a group, which called itself Concerned Christian Elders of the North, led by one Joseph Hayap, invited some people to a meeting in Abuja. At the meeting, he decided to appoint himself as the chairman of Christian Association in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“His co-travellers were also appointed to various positions as members of his executive. Their action, to say the least, is not only fraudulent, illegal, crude and self-serving, but divisive and tantamount to a religious coup.”