Leadership crisis erupts in Northern CAN over tenure dispute

A leadership crisis has engulfed the Northern States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over allegations of tenure elongation.

Former Kaduna State CAN Chairman, Reverend Joseph Hayab, announced on Monday that he had been duly elected as the new Northern CAN Chairman following the expiration of the tenure of Reverend Yakubu Pam-led leadership.

However, the outgoing General Secretary, Sunday Oibe, dismissed Hayab’s claim, stating that the election was conducted without due process.

According to Hayab, the tenure of Rev. Pam and his executives had expired over two years ago, as they were re-elected in 2019 for a three-year term. He argued that their continued stay in office was unconstitutional, emphasizing the need for new leadership to move Northern CAN forward.

However, the Pam-led faction described the newly elected officials as “mischief-makers” aiming to destabilise the association.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, CAN Secretary General, Elder Oibe, labeled Hayab’s election as “fraudulent and illegal,” likening it to a “religious coup.”

Oibe alleged that Hayab and his associates created a group,Concerned Christian Elders of the North, to justify their actions.

He insisted that Rev. Pam remains the legitimate Chairman of Northern CAN, arguing that his leadership had been extended by the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) to allow for the completion of ongoing bylaw reviews.

The crisis has deepened divisions within the Christian body, with both factions standing their ground. While Hayab insists on new leadership, the Pam group maintains that any transition must follow due process. The dispute raises concerns over the stability of Northern CAN as stakeholders push for a resolution.

“It is essential to clarify that 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.”

“It is important to note the efforts that Rev. Pam has been making to organize elections as his second term neared its expiration. In 2024, the process of reviewing Northern CAN’s bylaws commenced; however, the process could not be completed because the tenure of some state chairmen expired, and there was a need to wait for the states to conduct elections to enable them to participate in the process,” he further stressed.

“Rev. Pam had actually insisted on holding elections; however, the Northern CAN National Executive Council (NEC) unanimously decided that changing leadership in the middle of the review process would disrupt the ongoing work. The NEC thus resolved that Rev. Pam should complete the process before stepping down,” Oibe added.