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Northern CAN vows to ignore critics over tenure elongation
By Francesca Hangeior
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and Abuja has vowed to focus on its mandate rather than engaging in unnecessary exchanges with critics.
It could be recalled that a crisis engulfed the association over tenure elongation.
At the center of the crisis is the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam, whose term as chairman allegedly expired over two years ago.
The crisis took a turn for the worse when Rev. John Hayab’s group conducted an election, appointing him as the new chairman while Rev. Pam’s faction has denounced the move, describing it as a “religious coup” and “fraudulent.”
However, on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, chairmen of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, expressed full support for the newly elected executives led by Rev. Hayab, calling on the outgoing leadership of Rev. Pam, to promptly hand over all association property.
Speaking at a dinner organised for the newly elected executives in Kaduna on Monday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Hayab, said the association’s work would speak for itself.
Hayab decried the deep-seated religious and ethnic divisions in Northern Nigeria, describing them as obstacles to growth and peaceful coexistence.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to truth, inclusivity, and addressing challenges hindering the region’s progress.
According to Hayab, the new leadership of CAN in the North will be a strong advocate for Northern Christians, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected. He urged the Christian community to prioritize unity and collaboration for sustainable development.
He said, “We will remain a voice for Northern Christians, defenders of truth, and speakers of truth to power. However, we will do so with love and understanding.
“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 change in mindset.”
Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, Ambassador Elizabeth Azizi, leader of the Northern CAN Women’s Wing, expressed confidence in Hayab’s leadership and described him as a capable leader who will advance the Christian cause in the North.
Azizi also criticised the previous CAN leadership under Rev. Pam and Secretary Elder Sunday Oibe for exceeding their tenure by two years and nine months.
“We urge them to act with maturity and avoid dragging the Christian body into unnecessary disputes,” she said.
On his part, the Northern CAN Youth Leader, Evangelist Musa Misal, reaffirmed youth support for Hayab and called on Pam and Oibe to accept the transition in good faith.
“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,” he said.
Musal also demanded that all Northern CAN properties across the 19 states and the FCT be handed over to the new leadership forthwith.
Top Christian leaders from across the region attended the dinner, including the Secretary General of Northern CAN, 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 were the Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, Rev. Emeka Obianyor; the Director of Youth, Women, and Education, Rev. Fr. Prof. Ngbea Gabriel (Benue State); and the Northern CAN Vice Chairman, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson, who is also the Chairman of CAN North Central Zone, 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 Idowu Tinuoye, among others.
Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.
With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.
Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.
On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:
“a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”
The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected
“are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”
The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated.
Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them.
Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.
Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.
The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers State in particular and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
This is coming barely hours after two major oil installations were destroyed by alleged militants.
This is in reaction to the political crisis that have engulfed Rivers State.
The President made the declaration in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.
“The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started,” Tinubu said.
The president stated that he made personal intervention to resolve the crisis in the state but his efforts have been ignored.
READ full text of President Tinubu’s broadcast declaring State of Emergency in Rivers
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