Chairman of one of the factions of the Christian Association in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Joseph Hayab has said that his leadership will continue to strive to promote peace and work towards addressing the challenges facing the north.
Speaking on Monday in Kaduna during a meeting/ dinner with state CAN chairmen and secretaries loyal to his faction, Hayab decried the persistent ethnic and religious division in the north, describing it as major obstacle to development and peaceful coexistence.
He said the division has significantly contributed to the backwardness of the north and called for a change in mindset.
Hayab said, “It is disheartening when people perceive us as divided and intolerant.
“We must usher in a new phase – one of love, respect, and partnership.
“Our region is blessed, but divisions have cost us dearly. It’s time for a shift in mindset.”
He assured that CAN will continue to speak truth to power, adding that “it will do so with love and understanding.”
“We will remain a voice for Northern Christians, defenders of truth, and speakers of truth to power.
“However, we will do so in a way that fosters peace and unity,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, leader of the women wing of Northern CAN, Elizabeth Azizi, loyal to the faction, commended Hayab’s leadership, describing him as “a capable and visionary leader.”
She criticised Rev. Yakubu Pam and Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman and secretary of the other faction of Northern CAN for allegedly extending their tenure of office with two years and nine months.
She urged them to act with maturity and allow peace to reign.
Also in his remarks, leader of the Youth Wing of Northern CAN, Musa Misal, who is loyal to the Hayab faction, called on Pam and Oibe to acknowledge that the fact that leadership is transient and urged them to hand over all properties of the association across the 19 states and the FCT to the Hayab faction.
Misal said, “The youths stand firmly with the new leadership and will give him their total support. This is the kind of leader we have long desired. ”
The occasion had in attendance, the Secretary General of the faction, Bishop Mohammed Naga (Borno State); the Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Dr. Grace Kaka (Bauchi State); and the Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith, Rev. Godwin Adole (Sokoto State).
Others include the Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, Rev. Emeka Obianyor; Director of Youth, Women, and Education, Prof. Ngbea Gabriel (Benue State); and the faction’s Vice Chairman, Rev. Jonah Samson, former ECWA General Secretary Worldwide, Rev. Yunusa Madu; the President of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum and President of the Seat of God Ministries, Kaduna, Bishop Ademola Tinuoye, among others.
Northern CAN, an umbrella body for Christians in the north, has been embroiled in leadership crisis splitting the religious body into two.
One faction is led by Pam, while the other faction is led by Hayab.
It was learnt that the matter had gone to court.
