A leadership dispute has rocked the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as some state chairmen have declared support for newly elected executives, urging the outgoing leadership to step down.
The disagreement emerged following an election held on February 25, 2025, in Abuja, where new leaders were chosen to head the association. However, the outgoing chairman, Rev. Yakubu Pam, has refused to recognize the election, claiming his tenure is still valid.
Call for Leadership Transition
During a meeting held on Sunday, CAN state chairmen, youth, and women leaders called on the outgoing officials to hand over all association properties and allow a smooth transition.
Speaking at the gathering, Apostle Shina Ibiyemi, who represented the Kwara State CAN chairman, said the tenure of Rev. Pam and Elder Sunday Oibe had ended in May 2022, and they had remained in office for nearly three additional years.
“We officially affirm that Rev. Pam and Oibe are our former leaders. It is time for them to hand over to our newly elected leaders,” Ibiyemi stated.
He further explained that the election held in February brought in a new set of executives, including Rev. Joseph Hayab as Chairman, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson as Vice Chairman, Bishop Mohammed Naga as Secretary General, Special Apostle Tajudeen Afolabi as Assistant Secretary, and Rev. Father Dr. Polycarp Lubo as Treasurer. Others elected were Pastor Dr. Simon A.S. Dolly as Director of National Issues and Grace Kaka as Director of Legal and Public Affairs.
Ibiyemi assured that the new leadership is focused on uniting Christians in Northern Nigeria and protecting their rights.
Widespread Support for New Leaders
The call for transition has received backing from various CAN chairmen across the Northern region. Among those who voiced their support were Ambassador Elizabeth Azizi, chairperson of the Women Wing of CAN (WOWICAN) in the 19 Northern states and FCT, and Evangelist Musa Misal, chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN (YOWICAN) in the region.
Other key supporters include Rev. Fr. Maurice Koli Hassan, CAN chairman in Jigawa State, and Apostle Joshua Michael, Secretary of Borno State CAN. Additionally, CAN chairmen from Kaduna, Kwara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Gombe, Yobe, Kano, FCT, Borno, Adamawa, Kogi, and Katsina have all thrown their weight behind the newly elected officials.
Outgoing Chairman Rejects Election
Despite the overwhelming support for the new executives, Rev. Yakubu Pam has strongly opposed the election, insisting that his tenure has not expired. He denied allegations that he was refusing to leave office, arguing that the election was unauthorized.
“My tenure has not expired. The last time the NEC met, we all agreed to reconvene in May this year to fix an election date,” Rev. Pam said.
He questioned the legitimacy of the election, asking, “Who called for the meeting, and under what authority was the election conducted? Do they have the constitution or the bylaw to organize the election?”
Pam further pointed out that Northern CAN has never held an election in Abuja, maintaining that all previous elections have taken place at the association’s headquarters in Kaduna.
“There was no election. Northern CAN has never conducted an election in Abuja. In our history, we have never held an election outside our headquarters in Kaduna. There was no circular announcing an election,” he stated.
A Leadership Crisis in CAN
The leadership dispute in Northern CAN is the latest in a series of internal conflicts affecting religious organizations in Nigeria. CAN, as the umbrella body for Christians in the country, has played a significant role in advocating for the rights of Christian communities, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where religious tensions have often led to conflicts.
The association has also been vocal on national issues, including security, governance, and religious freedom. However, internal leadership struggles have, at times, weakened its ability to present a united front.
This latest dispute could impact the association’s influence and ability to speak with one voice on matters affecting Christians in the region. If not resolved, it may lead to further divisions within Northern CAN.
What Happens Next?
With the outgoing chairman refusing to step down and the newly elected officials claiming legitimacy, the dispute may escalate if not handled properly. The national leadership of CAN may need to step in to mediate and find a resolution that will prevent further division.
Observers say the association must ensure that constitutional provisions and established procedures are followed to avoid setting a precedent of leadership conflicts in the future.
As the controversy continues, many members of the Christian community in Northern Nigeria are hoping for a peaceful resolution that will allow CAN to focus on its primary mission of promoting unity and advocating for the rights of Christians in the region.
