Leadership Crisis Rocks Northern CAN Over Tenure Elongation

A leadership crisis is brewing in the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern State and Abuja over tenure elongation.

The controversy has led to two groups laying claim to the leadership of the association.

At the center of the crisis is the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam, whose term as chairman allegedly expired over two years ago.

The crisis took a turn for the worse when Rev. Hayab’s group conducted an election, appointing him as the new chairman while Rev. Pam’s faction denounced the move, describing it as a “religious coup” and “fraudulent.”

Consequently, they (defending group led by Rev. Yakubu Pam) disclaimed the new group led by Rev. Joseph Hayab for organising an election of new officials without following due process but Rev. Joseph Hayab, who leads the opposing group, claimed that Rev. Pam’s tenure expired in 2022, having been reelected in 2019 for a three-year term.

Speaking while addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Secretary General of CAN on the side of Rev. Pam’s faction, Elder Sunday Oibe, disputed the claim, stating that Rev. Pam remained the legitimate chairman.

He described the newly elected officials as mischief makers bent on destabilising the Northern CAN for selfish and political purposes.

Elder Oibe accused Rev. Hayab of being driven by personal motives rather than a genuine desire to serve the Christian community.

According to Elder Oibe, Rev. Pam had actually insisted on holding elections, however, the Northern CAN National Executive Council (NEC) unanimously decided that changing leadership in the middle of the review process would disrupt the ongoing work.

He said, “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, which is renewable for another term.

“His action, to say the least, is not only fraudulent, 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 NEC thus resolved that Rev. Pam should complete the process before stepping down. In December 2024, when the draft of the new bylaws was ready, the NEC meeting could not be held due to the Christmas season. On January 20, 2025, the NEC convened in Kaduna, where the new bylaws were officially passed.”

When contacted, Rev. Hayab, however, insisted that his group’s actions were legitimate and in line with the constitution of Northern CAN.

Hayab said, “Constitutionally, the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam and his officials have expired, it expired over two years ago. They were reelected in 2019 for the office that has a 3-year life span tenure.

“We are now in 2025. So they have overstayed in the office for over two years. And constitutionally they cannot conduct or be involved in this CAN election. Instead of 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.”

Our correspondent reports that the leadership crisis in Northern CAN has raised concerns about the unity and progress of the Christian community in the region. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is the umbrella organization for all Christian denominations in Nigeria. The association plays a vital role in promoting Christian values and interests in the country.

The Northern CAN chapter, which covers the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been at the forefront of promoting Christian interests in the region.

However, the current leadership crisis threatens to undermine the progress made by the association in recent years.

Leadership Crisis Rocks Northern CAN Over Tenure Elongation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper