The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and Abuja is facing a serious leadership crisis as two factions struggle for control. The dispute, which has been simmering for months, escalated after a contested election produced Rev. Joseph Hayab as the new chairman, while the incumbent, Rev. Yakubu Pam, insists he remains in charge.
At the center of the crisis is the question of tenure expiration. Rev. Pam, who has led Northern CAN since 2019, argues that his term remains valid, while Rev. Hayab’s faction claims Pam’s tenure expired over two years ago.
Disputed Election Sparks Controversy
The crisis deepened when Rev. Hayab’s faction conducted an election and declared him the new chairman. However, Rev. Pam and his supporters dismissed the election as illegal.
“His actions are not only fraudulent, illegal, crude, and self-serving but also divisive and tantamount to a religious coup,” said Elder Sunday Oibe, the Secretary General from Rev. Pam’s faction.
Oibe explained that Rev. Pam had advocated for elections, but the Northern CAN National Executive Council (NEC) decided it would be disruptive to hold elections while reviewing the association’s bylaws.
“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, renewable for another term,” Oibe stated.
According to him, the NEC had resolved that Pam should complete the bylaw review process before stepping down. In December 2024, when the new bylaws were drafted, a NEC meeting could not be held due to the Christmas season. The meeting eventually took place in January 2025 in Kaduna, where the new bylaws were passed.
Support for Rev. Hayab’s Leadership
Despite opposition from Rev. Pam’s faction, Rev. Hayab has received support from key figures in the Christian community. Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Joseph A. Ciroma, and Bishop Yohanna Bulus have all congratulated him on his election.
Some CAN state chairmen, youth, and women leaders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory also endorsed Hayab’s leadership.
“Seated here are CAN chairmen from different states and youth and women leaders of CAN in the 19 Northern States and FCT. Rev. Yakubu Pam and Elder Sunday Oibe have remained in office for nearly three years beyond their tenure, which ended in May 2022,” said Apostle Shina Ibiyemi, representing the Kwara State CAN chairman.
He added, “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 listed the newly elected officials as follows:
- Chairman – Rev. Joseph Hayab
- Vice Chairman – Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson
- Secretary General – Bishop Mohammed Naga
- Assistant Secretary – Special Apostle Tajudeen Afolabi
- Treasurer – Rev. Fr. Dr. Polycarp Lubo
- Director of National Issues – Pastor Dr. Simon A.S. Dolly
- Director of Legal and Public Affairs – Grace Kaka
Other notable figures supporting Hayab include Amb. Elizabeth Azizi, chairperson of the Women Wing of CAN in the 19 northern states, and Evang. Musa Misal, chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN in the region.
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Rev. Pam Dismisses Election, Insists He is Still Chairman
Rev. Pam, however, remains defiant. He insists that the election that produced Hayab as chairman is illegitimate.
“The question remains: under what authority was that election conducted? The secretariat in Kaduna is under my control, and my secretary has all the relevant documents,” he said.
He argued that the NEC had agreed to reconvene in May 2025 to set an election date, making the election in Abuja invalid.
Rev. Pam said, “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?
“Northern CAN has never conducted an election in Abuja. We have never held an election outside our headquarters in Kaduna. There was no circular announcing an election.”
Way Forward: Need for Dialogue
The leadership crisis threatens to divide Northern CAN at a time when unity is crucial for addressing challenges such as religious persecution and violence against Christians.
Rev. Hayab has maintained that he will not engage in a public fight but will remain focused on his role.
“We will not join issues with them. But we will do the right thing for the development and progress of Northern CAN,” he said.
As the dispute continues, many Christian leaders and observers are calling for dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. Whether Northern CAN can overcome this leadership struggle will depend on its ability to uphold its guiding principles and ensure a smooth transition of power.