…Youth, women leaders also support Rev. Hayab.
…As Pam Exco drags CAN to court.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Chairmen and Secretaries of 19 Northern States Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), met in Kaduna, Monday 17th March 2025, and deliberated on a trending vexing leadership tussle issue affecting the body.
The enlarged meeting of new leadership of the Northern CAN, headed by Rev. Joseph John Hayab, was held at Albarka Fellowship Baptist Church, Television, Kaduna State, from 5:30pm to 9pm, and was attended by all new executives, directors and some clerics.
The meeting further finalized on the endorsement and authenticity of the election of Joseph Hayab as chairman, and promised to focus more on ways forward for development, rather than election.
Addressing members during the dinner event that hosted the 19 Northern States Chairmen and Secretaries of CAN and Abuja, along with other esteemed clerics, the Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. Hayab, said the Rev. Yakubu Pam-led immediate-past executive dragged them to court to stop the meeting from holding on 17th March 2025, on grounds that they “not legal.”
“Brothers and sisters; we shouldn’t tell you stories that are not true in event like this. The former leadership actually took us to court not to hold this meeting today. They filed-in a 47-page Affidavit to convince court that we are not legal.
“Our Legal Adviser works tirelessly and makes sure the court didn’t see anything to talk about, and court gives us a date until we are done with our meeting. That’s how desperate some people can be, so desperate.
“I couldn’t even believe it. If you read their Affidavit, you will wonder – how can someone (Christian) lie against the church? What does he stands to gain? I chose to say this in your presence before they will tell you another lies.
“We deliberately control this information until you come here today, because, if we had told you at home everybody will be angry. We got wind of it; they tried to get judgment on Friday, but it couldn’t work; and, it was in the night of Friday we got wind of it. Even the court won’t believe how we got to know.
“Time has come; the friends of the former leadership should stand before them and tell them the truth. They use a language – that we are ‘ambushing you people,’ all state CAN chairmen? That means, we ambush Bishop from Plateau, Yobe, and Kwara of 17 years’ experience,” he narrated.
Rev. Hayab further stated that, “How can somebody be insulting church leaders? I think the essence of this meeting is to confirm where is the church in northern Nigeria standing? Without sentiments, the church stands with this leadership. Am I right or wrong? … (with affirmation voices from members).
“We’ve representatives from 20 states. On the day of election, we had only 16. North Central, North East zones’ Chairmen and Secretary North West were present. I agree and take your advice, we’ll never respond to them again. Our work will speak for us. Youths Leaders of Northern CAN areas are here.
“They are going about telling people that they are going to call for new election. They have no legal right to call for any new election after exceeding their tenure for over 2 and some months in office.
“Categorically, I want to say that any other body that issues any press statement as from today, aside this Northern CAN body, is illegal. And I will not fold my hands for anyone insulting you chairmen or secretaries again, in as much as we want peace.
“I will use some righteous anger to tell them, ‘Enough is enough.’ From the first day of election, I pledged that, honestly I’m going to give you my very best. On that position I stand. I didn’t ask you for this, you asked me, and I’m not going to disappoint you.
“But, not that before 25th Feb, 2030, I will call for election. But I think we’ve made statement today in Kaduna that now we have Chairman and Secretaries, and leadership of 19 Northern States CAN, and I’m leading the team and there is no going back,” Hayab explained.
In an interview, the Northern CAN youths leader, Evangelist Musa Misal, said “Up till now, youth stand with the new leadership. The 19 Northern States Youth CAN are behind the new leadership. We rally round support for Hayab that we are now having a leader that can speak for Christians in the north of Nigeria.
“Very soon, we are calling to give our rallying support for the new leadership. My advice for Pam is to know that leadership is from God. Whoever God gives, let him support. If there’s anything to handover let him do so to the new leadership, because you can’t tear the body of Christ.
“He is wasting his time going to court and say his tenure has not elapsed. I call on him to come out and accept Northern CAN youth leader.
Prominent members of Northern CAN present at the dinner event include Northern Central, Northeast Chairmen of CAN, and Northwest Secretary, respectfully.
Others include current General Secretary as well as Chairmen and Secretaries of Secretaries from Borno State, Bishop Mohammed Narga.
Also in attendance awere: Apostle Tajudeen of CAN Chairman Zamfara State and Assistance Secretary Northern CAN, and Rev. Fr. Polycap Lugbo Treasurer Northern CAN and Chairman Plateau State.
Legal Adviser, Dr. Grace Chaka from Bauchi State; four Directors, including Rev. Prof. Gabriel, Rev Emeka Benjamin, and Rev. Godwin Adole, Chairman CAN Sokoto State. Director National Issue in Israel, were respectfully in attendance.
Also in an interview, Women Leader Northern CAN, Elizabeth A.A., said the Rev. Hayab-led exco is the authentic Northern CAN Leadership, urging all her members to follow Rev. Hayab for better future of northern Christians and its women and children.