Dispute erupts in Northern CAN as outgoing leader rejects election
Some chairmen of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed full support for the newly elected executives, calling on the outgoing leadership to promptly hand over all association properties.
Speaking at a meeting of CAN state chairmen, youth, and women leaders on Sunday, Apostle Shina Ibiyemi, representing the Kwara State CAN chairman, emphasized the need for a smooth transition.
He said, “Seated here are chairmen of CAN from different states and Youth and Women Leaders of CAN 19 Northern States and FCT. Rev. Yakubu Pam and Elder Sunday Oibe’s leadership have remained in office for nearly three years after the end of their tenure in May 2022.
“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 highlighted that an election was conducted on February 25, 2025, in Abuja, during which new leaders were elected.
He stated, “On February 25, 2025, we met in Abuja and elected new leaders for our esteemed association, an election that ushered in: Rev. Joseph Hayab as the Chairman, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson as Vice Chairman, Bishop Mohammed Naga as Secretary General, Special Apostle Tajudeen Afolabi as Assistant Secretary, Rev. Father Dr. Polycarp Lubo as Treasurer, Pastor Dr. Simon A.S. Dolly as Director of National Issues, Grace Kaka as Director of Legal and Public Affairs, among others.”
Expressing confidence in the new leadership, he pledged unwavering support for their administration and its four-point agenda focused on uniting Christians in Northern Nigeria and safeguarding their rights.
Other leaders who voiced support included Ambassador Elizabeth Azizi, chairperson of the Women Wing of CAN in the 19 Northern States and FCT; Evangelist Musa Misal, chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN in the 19 Northern States and FCT; Rev. Fr. Maurice Koli Hassan, CAN chairman in Jigawa State; and Apostle Joshua Michael, Secretary of Borno State CAN.
CAN chairmen from Kaduna, Kwara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Gombe, Yobe, Kano, FCT, Borno, Adamawa, Kogi, and Katsina also backed the newly elected executives.
However, in response to allegations of refusing to vacate office, Rev. Yakubu Pam denied the claims, insisting that his tenure was still valid.
He argued, “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.
“So the issue of expiration of tenure is not in question. 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?
“Can another body call for a meeting and conduct an election for another body? Can they dissolve an executive without its members being present? 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.”
