The General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the Northern States and the FCT, Abuja, Elder Sunday Oibe, has reiterated that the association will soon hold elections to elect officials who will manage its affairs for the next four years, in accordance with the law.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, Elder Oibe expressed concern over individuals who, he claimed, had assumed key positions within the association following what he described as a questionable election held in Abuja. He emphasized, “I must disassociate myself from that election because it was conducted without adhering to the legally recognized bylaws of Northern CAN.
The organizers of that election had no legal authority to do so while the incumbents were still in office. That election was null and void, illegal, and not binding on the members of Northern CAN.”
Elder Oibe added that preparations were already underway to conduct a legitimate election in the coming days, following the association’s proper bylaws. He also commented on a press conference held by a group of individuals, stressing that as Christians, they must stand for the truth. “The first question we need to ask those claiming to have held an election is whether they followed the rules of Northern CAN. Northern CAN operates under its own bylaws, distinct from the national constitution, and it is important for people to understand this.”
He further challenged the legitimacy of a claimed five-year tenure by some, pointing out discrepancies regarding the bylaw they referenced. “They mentioned a bylaw from 2014, but this is untrue. There was no such bylaw in 2014. The only bylaw that brought Rev. Yakubu Pam and others into office was created under the late Bishop Peter Jatau in 2007, and that bylaw is no longer relevant today.”
