The Arewa Voters Assembly (AVA), has issued a scathing press statement accusing the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, of fueling disunity and instigating crisis within the Northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Maishanu Babajir, and the Secretary, Comrade Ibrahim Malangu, AVA expressed deep concern over what it described as “misplaced priorities and gestapo-style leadership” since Bishop Adegbite assumed office.
According to AVA, the tenure of Bishop Adegbite has been marked by avoidable controversies, administrative highhandedness, and divisive maneuvers, including shadowboxing his predecessor and orchestrating unjust dismissals of legitimate staff members of the Commission. The group claimed that these dismissals were later overturned by two separate rulings from the National Industrial Court (NIC), which rejected what was termed “obnoxious and unlawful” terminations.
AVA also alleged that rather than focusing on the mandate of the NCPC, Bishop Adegbite has consistently sought to assert undue influence over religious leadership structures, including an unsuccessful attempt to hijack the Lagos State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). The group now accuses him of replicating the same tactics in the North with the support of Rev. John Hayab, a former Kaduna CAN spokesperson.
The group claimed that Rev. Hayab has become a “willing tool” in the hands of Bishop Adegbite and other unnamed political actors seeking to install a new leadership in Northern CAN through what it described as an “illegal and kangaroo” process. AVA alleged that the attempt seeks to undermine the longstanding protocols of CAN and disenfranchise stakeholders from other northern states for political expediency.
According to AVA, the move is not only divisive but reckless and potentially subjudicial, as issues concerning Northern CAN leadership are already subject to legal proceedings. The group warned that any attempt to circumvent the judicial process could further escalate tensions and damage the integrity of the Christian body in Northern Nigeria.
The statement further defended Rev. Yakubu Pam, the former Executive Secretary of NCPC and erstwhile Chairman of Northern CAN, stating that he has been unfairly targeted in a smear campaign engineered to destroy his reputation. AVA described Rev. Pam as a unifying figure who has dedicated his ministry to promoting peace, national unity, and interfaith harmony. They added that Pam has never declared any political ambition nor shown interest in vying for political office, including the rumored position of Vice Presidential candidate.
“Rather than commend his consistent peacebuilding efforts across the northern states, some political charlatans masquerading as priests have made it their mission to destroy his legacy,” the group stated, alleging that the motive behind these actions is to curry political favor and pave way for future ambitions under the guise of spiritual leadership.
AVA also challenged the sponsors of the current Northern CAN leadership crisis to redirect their energy toward resolving more pressing issues, such as identifying the beneficiaries of ransom payments in the wave of Christian abductions in Kaduna and other parts of the North.
The group condemned what it called “cash-and-carry” politics and emphasized that the recent developments have been met with disdain and rejection by the majority of Christians in the North who are familiar with the antecedents of those involved.
In conclusion, AVA called on Bishop Adegbite to focus on delivering on the mandate of the NCPC rather than meddling in the affairs of religious organizations. It also urged Rev. Hayab and his backers to retrace their steps and avoid further polarization of the Christian community in Northern Nigeria.
“Hijacking the body of Christ for strange political agendas is not only a disservice to the Christian faith but a grave injustice to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration stands to be undermined by such destabilizing actions,” the statement concluded.
