Nigeria: Intervene In Leadership Tussle In Northern Christian Community

The Christian Media Forum (CMF) has appealed to the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, to intervene in the lingering leadership crisis over the chairmanship of the 19 northern states.

The CMF made the appeal in a statement signed by its Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, in Kaduna, and made available to journalists on Monday March 10, 2025.

“We urge the warring factions to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance. It is our firm belief that the Christian community should be a beacon of hope, love, and unity, rather than a symbol of division and strife.
“This appeal is made with a deep sense of concern and responsibility to promote peace and unity within the Christian community.

“As a body of Christian media practitioners, we are deeply troubled by the unnecessary leadership tussle that has generated embarrassment not only to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) but also to the Christian faith in general. We believe that this crisis has lingered for far too long and has caused significant damage to the reputation of the Church,” it said.
The group recalled that there has been a lingering leadership crisis in the 19 northern states, with Rev. Pam and Rev. Joseph Hayab both laying claims to the legitimate leadership of the Christian body.

” This crisis has caused confusion, division, and embarrassment to the Christian community, and it is our sincere hope that Archbishop Okoh’s intervention will bring an end to this crisis.

“As Christians, we are called to live in peace and harmony with one another. The Bible teaches us to “live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8). We urge the warring factions to embrace this biblical principle and work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“The CMF is committed to promoting peace, unity, and understanding within the Christian community. We believe that a united and peaceful Christian community is essential for the spread of the Gospel and the advancement of God’s kingdom.

“We appeal to Archbishop Okoh to use his good offices to bring the warring factions together and facilitate a peaceful resolution of the crisis. We are confident that his intervention will bring an end to this crisis and restore peace and unity to the Christian community,” the statement said.

The group also urged the warring factions to be open-minded and willing to compromise.

“We believe that a peaceful resolution of the crisis is possible if all parties are willing to work together in the interest of peace and unity.

“As we await the intervention of Archbishop Okoh, we pray that God will grant us the wisdom, courage, and strength to work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis. We are confident that with God’s guidance and direction, we will overcome this crisis and emerge stronger and more united than ever before,” CMF added.

In conclusion, the CMF reiterated its appeal to Archbishop Okoh to intervene in the leadership crisis in the 19 northern states.

“We are confident that his intervention will bring an end to this crisis and restore peace and unity to the Christian community,” the statement said.