Election postponement sparks crisis in Taraba CAN

The Taraba state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), is in a deep crisis following the indefinite postponement of its election slated for January 17, 2025.

The postponement marks the second delay in the election process, with the first postponement occurring in November 2024 due to disputes over rotational leadership arrangements.

During that time, the Catholic bloc was observed to have threatened to boycott the election unless their chairmanship candidate was allowed to assume the position.
Efforts to address the impasse, including the formation of an electoral college comprising representatives from CAN’s five blocs, have yet to yield results at the time of filing this report.

The latest postponement has been linked to a petition filed by the Global Methodist Church against one of the candidates, Rev. Philip Micah Dopah.

Amid the growing tension, some stakeholders have accused former CAN chairman Rev. Isaiah Jirape of deliberately fostering confusion.

They alleged that Jirape was attempting to influence the outcome of the election to install a successor who will allow him to control the CAN’s leadership.

Critics claimed that Jirape’s actions stem from a personal grudge against Governor Agbu Kefas, who declined to reappoint him as Chairman of the Taraba State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board in 2024.

Our correspondent gathered that since then, Jirape has allegedly used his influence to undermine the governor’s preferred candidate.

Several attempts to extract words from the former CAN chairman who is at the center of the controversy, failed as his telephone number remains unreached.

The crisis has continued to spark concern among stakeholders, particularly those who worry that the prolonged election delays and internal divisions could weaken the association’s unity and hinder its effectiveness in representing the Christian community in the state