A leadership crisis has erupted within the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory over alleged tenure elongation.

The controversy has resulted in two factions claiming leadership of the association.

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

The dispute escalated when a faction led by Rev. Joseph Hayab conducted an election, appointing him as the new chairman.

In response, Pam?s faction dismissed the Hayab?s election as a ?religious coup? and ?fraudulent.?

Consequently, Pam?s faction disclaimed Hayab?s group for organising an election of new officials without following due process.

However, Hayab insisted that Pam?s tenure had expired in 2022, having been reelected in 2019 for a three-year term.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Secretary General of CAN on the side of Pam?s faction, Sunday Oibe, dismissed Hayab?s election, insisting that Pam remained the legitimate chairman of northern CAN.

?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,? Oibe stated.

He accused Hayab of being driven by personal interests rather than a genuine desire to serve the Christian community.

?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,? Oibe said.

According to him, Pam had insisted on holding elections, but the Northern CAN National Executive Council decided that changing leadership in the middle of the review process would disrupt ongoing work.

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 hold due to the Christmas season. On January 20, 2025, the NEC convened in Kaduna, where the new bylaws were officially passed,? he added.

However, when contacted, Hayab insisted that his group?s actions were legitimate and aligned with the Northern CAN constitution.

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

?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 them 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 take issues with them. But we will do the right thing for the development and progress of Northern CAN,? he added. (The PUNCH)

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