The 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is facing a leadership crisis as two factions have emerged.
Both sides are laying claim to the leadership of the association in separate press conferences held in Kaduna.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Elder Sunday Oibe, Secretary General of the faction led by Rev. Yakubu Pam, insisted that they are the legitimate leaders of Northern CAN and that Pam remains the chairman.
According to the faction, their tenure has not expired as speculated, and they remain in possession of the association’s documents, structures, and assets.
The group described the actions of Rev. Joseph Hayab as a “religious coup” and accused him of violating the constitution of Northern CAN.
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Elder Oibe alleged, “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.
“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.”
However, addressing the media in Kaduna on Tuesday, Rev. Joseph Hayab maintained that he is the newly elected chairman of Northern CAN.
According to him, “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.”
