The Yakubu Pam led faction of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of taking side in the leadership crisis rocking the religious body. In a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, Sunday Oibe, Secretary General of the faction, expressed deep concern over Ribadu’s alleged continuous involvement in the crisis, which is before a Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The statement alleged that Ribadu convened a meeting with the Rev. Joseph Hayab led faction, thereby lending official support and encouraging the faction.
The statement asked the NSA to concentrate on his core responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the nation rather than engaging in partisan involvement in religious affairs.
The statement reads: “We wish to express our deep concern regarding the continous involvement of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in the leadership dispute of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (Northern CAN).
“On February 25, 2025, a group led by Mr. Samuel Salifu and Bishop Stephen Adegbite, claimed that the tenure of the current Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Yakubu Pam had expired and convened a meeting with some people in Abuja, where they purportedly elected Rev. Joseph Hayab as the new chairman in a process that clearly violates established procedures and due process.
“In response to these developments, on February 27, 2025, we formally notified the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing their attention to the situation.”
Oibe said, when the matter could not be amicable resolved, the Pam faction initiated legal action by filing a suit at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
According to him, the matter came on March 19, 2025, and the Court ordered that both parties maintain the status quo and adjourned the case to April 8, 2025 for hearing.
Oibe added that the case could not proceed on that date (April 8) as the court did not sit and is yet to hear the matter.
He said, “Since then, we have observed, with dismay, that Ribadu has taken side in this dispute despite our letter informing him about the problem.
“Hayab has been parading himself as the Chairman of Northern CAN in outright disregard to the court order directing that the status quo be maintained pending the hearing.
“We are aware of the meeting Ribadu held with Hayab and his group on April 7, 2025, at his office in Abuja posing as leaders of Northern CAN.
“Ribadu convened the meeting, lending official support to Hayab and his faction.
Such actions, in our view, constitute a clear and deliberate attempt to sow division within the Christian community in the north.
“It is particularly troubling that Ribadu seems to be encouraging Hayab to disregard the court’s directive to maintain the status quo.
“We believe this conduct is inappropriate and unbecoming of a senior security official, and it risks exacerbating tensions in an already delicate environment.
“We therefore call on President Bola Tinubu to caution his appointees, particularly the NSA, to refrain from interfering in matters that fall outside their constitutional mandate and which could undermine peace and unity.
“The NSA should concentrate on his core responsibility, ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the nation rather than engaging in partisan involvement in religious affairs.
“For the record, Rev. Yakubu Pam remains the legitimate chairman of Northern CAN until an election is conducted and new leaders emerge democratically, based on Northern CAN status as it has been the practice…”
