Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A Norther Christian group under the aegis of Arewa Unity of Faith (AUF), has frowned at Rev. Yakubu Pam for still parading himself as the Chairman of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Chairman of the group, Mr. Ezra Musa most especially expressed his displeasure on a current visit to the Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, led by Rev. Yakubu Pam, camouflaging as Northern CAN Chairman.
Musa said a new leadership of Northern CAN took over last month after an election was conducted, hence, Pam should stop parading himself as the Chairman.
He called on Governor Yahaya to disregard Pam and his team as they are importers who seek to destroy the sacred body of CAN.
Our correspondent recalls that the former President, Mohammedu Buhari, appointed Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), and upon his exit as President, the current President, Bola Tinubu, replaced him with Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
Similarly, just last month, Pam was also replaced as the Northern CAN Chairman in an election conducted in March 2025, where Rev. Joseph Hayab emerged the new CAN Chairman in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside new elected executives, our correspondent said.
Below is a Communique issued by the CAN 19 Northern States
A COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 19 NORTHERN STATES CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION Of NIGERIA’s (CAN) CHAIRMEN, SECRETARIES, AND MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS CONGRESS ON THE AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION
ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY 2025
Overview
The Chairmen, Secretaries, and Key Stakeholders of the 19 Northern States and the FCT, under the leadership of Elder-Engr Samuel Salifu, convened a congress meeting at the National Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to deliberate on the state of affairs of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the region. After exhaustive deliberations, the following observations were made:
i. The CAN leadership in the 19 Northern States and the FCT has been inactive, hampering the association’s effectiveness.
ii. The tenure of the Rev Pam-led executives expired on 5th May 2022. The executives have remained in office illegally and are unwilling to allow another election to be conducted.
iii. As it is, the executives have overstayed their office with 2 years and 9 months without any justification.
iv. There is an urgent need to dissolve the “overstayed” executives, appoint an electoral committee, and conduct fresh elections to elect a new leadership for a single, non-renewable 5-year term.
Resolutions and Election of New Leadership
Given the above observations, the Kaduna State CAN Chairman Rev. Caleb Maaji moved a motion for the dissolution of the Rev. Pam-led Northern States and FCT Executives. The Kwara State Chairman Bishop Sunday Adewole seconded the motion and the House unanimously adopted the motion. Hence, the “overstayed” executives stood dissolved.
The House then nominated the former National Director Legal and Public Affairs of the CAN Barr. Kwamkur, who previously conducted the election that brought into office Rev. Pam as Chairman and his dissolved executives. Barr. Kwamkur and other electoral officers conducted a fresh election based on nominations from block leaders to fill in various offices allotted to each block.
During the election, 95% of State Chairmen, Secretaries, and Block Representatives were lawfully accredited and participated in the entire process. The results of the election are as follows:
Chairman: Rev. Joseph Hayab (Kaduna State)
Vice Chairman: Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson (FCT)
Secretary: Bishop Mohammed Naga (Borno State)
Assistant Secretary Special Apostle Tajudeen Azeeze Afolabi (Zamfara State)
Treasurer Rev. Fr. Dr. Polycarp Lubo (Plateau State)
Director National Issues Pastor Dr. Simon A.S Dolly (Nasarawa State)
Director of Legal and Public Affairs Barr. Grace Emmanuel Kaka PHd (Bauchi State)
Director Ecumenism and Interfaith Rev Godwin Adole (Sokoto State)
Director Planning, Research and Strategy Rev Emeka Obianyor (Adamawa)
Director Youth, Women and Education Rev Father Prof. Ngbea Gabriel (Benue)
Afterwards, three leaders, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, Arch-Bishop John Praise and Archbishop Akinwale, offered prayers for the newly elected officials soon after their inauguration. Rev. Joseph Hayab, in his acceptance speech, pledged to uphold the peace, unity, progress, and spiritual growth of CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT.
This communiqué serves as an official record of the proceedings and resolutions of the CAN congress meeting of the 19 Northern States and the FCT.
Signed:
Elder-Engr Samuel Salifu
Archbishop John Praise Daniel
Archbishop Michael Akinwale
Rev Yunusa Nmadu Jnr
Rev Dr Ibrahim Wushishi
