Northern CAN excos pass vote of confidence on chairman, Rev. Hayab

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has passed a vote of confidence on its newly elected chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab. The General Secretary of the association, Mohammed Naga, made this known while addressing journalists in Maiduguri. Bishop Naga, who also […]

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has passed a vote of confidence on its newly elected chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.

The General Secretary of the association, Mohammed Naga, made this known while addressing journalists in Maiduguri.

Bishop Naga, who also serves as the CAN chairman for the North-East sub-region, affirmed that the election of Rev. Hayab and other executive members on February 25, 2025, was conducted peacefully and transparently.

He recalled that the tenure of the past leadership had overstayed its mandate, prompting widespread calls for change among members.

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“I want to register our support for our substantive chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab,” he said. “He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”

Naga further dismissed claims by any dissenting groups seeking to hold onto power indefinitely, stating that the election was widely accepted by key stakeholders.

“We have a leader to whom we submit and through whom we can discuss Christian matters in northern Nigeria,” he added.

Bishop Naga, who is also the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), called on both Christian and Muslim faithful—especially those in the North—to continue praying for peace, unity, and development in the region, which has long suffered from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other security challenges.

“I want to urge Nigerians to embrace one another. In particular, I call on our Muslim brothers who are observing Ramadan to use this period to pray for peace and progress in our country, especially in northern Nigeria,” he said.