The Taraba State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been thrown into disarray following the indefinite postponement of its leadership election, which was scheduled to take place on January 17, 2025.
This marks the second time the election has been delayed, with the process initially disrupted in November 2024 due to disagreements over rotational leadership arrangements.
The Catholic Bloc had previously threatened to boycott the election unless their candidate was allowed to assume the chairmanship, further complicating the process.
Efforts to resolve the impasse, including the establishment of an electoral college comprising representatives from CAN’s five blocs, have so far failed to produce results, leaving the chapter in a state of uncertainty.
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The latest postponement reportedly stems from a petition filed by the Global Methodist Church against one of the candidates, Rev. Philip Micah Dopah.
The details of the petition remain undisclosed, but it has added to the mounting tension within the association.
Some stakeholders have accused the former CAN chairman, Rev. Isaiah Jirape, of orchestrating the confusion.
Critics allege that Jirape is attempting to manipulate the election process to install a successor who would allow him to retain influence over the association’s leadership.
The allegations against Jirape include claims of a personal vendetta against Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas.
In 2024, the governor reportedly declined to reappoint Jirape as Chairman of the Taraba State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, a decision that sources say fueled the former chairman’s interference in the election process.
Attempts to reach Jirape for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone remained unreachable at the time of this report.
The crisis has alarmed stakeholders, who fear that prolonged delays and internal conflicts could weaken CAN’s unity and undermine its ability to represent the Christian community in Taraba State effectively.
As tensions rise, the association’s future leadership and its role as a unifying force for Christians in the state hang in the balance.
