The Secretary General of the Rev. Yakubu Pam faction of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Elder Sunday Oibe, has said that the purported election of Rev. Joseph Hayab, as the chairman of the association, is illegal, null and void.
Oibe stated this at a press conference on Monday in Kaduna.
Northern CAN had been embroiled in leadership crisis, leading to the emergence of two factions led by Pam, the incumbent chairman and Hayab, a former chairman of Kaduna chapter of CAN.
Oibe said those who organised the purported election, which Hayab claimed he emerged as chairman, have no legal right to conduct elections.
He said Northern CAN would soon elect its officials to run the affairs of the association for the next four years.
Oibe said, “It was disturbing that some persons arrogated to themselves key positions in the Northern CAN at a purported election few weeks ago in Abuja.”
He said it was imperative to disclaim Hayab’s election because it was conducted without following the constitution and the bylaws of Northern CAN.
“The emergency of Rev. Joseph Hayab, as chairman of Northern CAN in that illegal election is not binding on members of the association.
“Arrangements have been concluded to hold the election in few days’ time, in accordance to the constitution
of Northern CAN.
“On Sunday, some group of persons held a press conference in Abuja, affirming the election of Hayab as the Chairman of Northern CAN, that is not correct and members of the public should disregard such claims,” Oibe said.
Speaking further, he said, “Our concern is that as christians, we must stand for the truth.
“The first question we need to ask those people who claimed that they held election is whether they followed the rules of the association?
“We have laws that guide the conduct of elections.
“Like every other organization, we have our rules that guide our operations.
“Hayab claimed that he was elected chairman of Northern CAN for a five years single tenure, but the Northern CAN bylaw says in article 14 that a person can be elected into office for a tenure of four years for which is renewable for a second term.
“So which instrument of law was used to conduct the election that produced Hayab as Chairman of Northern CAN?”
Oibe challenged Hayab to produce names of the 16 state chairmen of CAN that he claimed elected him.
“The truth is that Rev. Pam’s tenure came to an end in 2024, and he wanted to conduct elections, but the executive committee asked him to stay on and complete the complete process of producing the bylaw.
He urged Christians, not to allow external forces to destabilise the association for selfish political interests.
“We are ready for election this first quarter of the year. If Hayab wants to contest, let him come, and if the people vote him as their chairman, so be it.
“But for him to proclaim himself as the elected chairman without due process is illegal,” Oibe said.
