As the the leadership crisis within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), commonly known as Northern CAN deepens, Reverend Yakubu Pam, former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), has revealed that he still remains the chairman. This comes after a faction led by Reverend Joseph Hayab held a press conference last week, declaring that Hayab had been elected as the new chairman. The faction argued that Reverend Pam’s tenure had expired, as he and his executives were elected in 2019 for a three-year term and had overstayed by more than two years.
Reverend Hayab emphasized that, according to the association’s constitution, the Pam-led executives no longer have the legitimacy to lead. However, Reverend Pam countered this claim, stating that he was elected for a four-year term and remains the legitimate chairman. He explained that, despite initially considering resignation, the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in January mandated him to continue in office until elections are held in the second quarter of this year.
Reverend Pam dismissed the Hayab-led election as illegitimate, describing it as a “kangaroo election” conducted by individuals who lacked the constitutional authority to convene such a meeting. He pointed out that Northern CAN has always held its elections in Kaduna State, where its secretariat is located, and questioned how the faction obtained permission to conduct the election in Abuja.
“Every organization has a constitution or bylaws governing elections and leadership transitions. We were elected under a four-year term, renewable for another four years. Given our unique cultural context, my predecessor, the late Archbishop Jatau, served as chairman for over forty years. He was like a father to us, and we often encouraged him to continue. When I assumed office, I emphasized the need to adhere to the law, which allows for a maximum of eight years in two terms. During our January meeting, the entire assembly instructed me to remain in office until the next election, which is scheduled for the second quarter of this year,” Reverend Pam stated.
He further revealed that shortly after the January meeting, some regional chairpersons indicated that certain elders were pushing for an early election. However, this move was rejected, particularly by members from the North West region. Reverend Pam criticized the faction for attempting to hold an election in Abuja, a location he said has never hosted Northern CAN elections.
“The group that conducted the election does not represent Northern CAN. In response, we convened a meeting to denounce the election and reaffirm my position as chairman. The secretariat in Kaduna remains under my control, and my secretary holds all relevant documents. The so-called election was a sham, and we are committed to following due process as outlined in our constitution,” he added.
The ongoing dispute highlights the internal divisions within Northern CAN, with both factions claiming legitimacy. As the crisis unfolds, stakeholders are calling for a resolution that adheres to the association’s constitutional framework to ensure stability and continuity.
