The Chairman of the Northern Christian Forum (also known as the Northern Christian Association), Rev. Joseph Hayab, has dispelled rumors that the association was formed because Northern Christian leaders are at loggerheads with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In a chat with Church Times on Wednesday, March 4, Hayab said stories making the rounds—claiming Northern Christians had cut links with CAN due to the “excesses” of Christians in the South—are unfounded and do not represent the intentions of Northern Christian leaders.
He made reference to a viral article titled, Oluremi Tinubu Bombshell: How First Lady’s CBN News Interview Became The Final Nail In CAN’s Coffin As Northern Christians Dump Umbrella Body, Register NCA as fabricated ..
“The article was “beautifully written” but ultimately a fabricated piece designed to misrepresent Northern leaders” Hayab said..
He explained further, “It was the Christian Association of Nigeria that first suggested we should not use the name ‘Northern CAN,’ so as not to cause confusion among the public when our issues are being addressed,”
He continued,, “All churches in the North are with CAN and are with us because we are all together as one body. We are not fighting and are still active members of CAN; therefore, there is no need for a truce to be brokered when there is no conflict in the first place.”
He further explained that the Northern Christian Forum has existed since 1964, long before CAN was established. “What we have just done is return to our original name.”
Regarding the name change, he said: “National CAN advised us to adopt a distinctive identity. We had a meeting on October 23 last year where this issue was raised, and we saw reason with the President. The purpose is to avoid confusion in the media. There is no friction whatsoever.”
Noting his high esteem for the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Hayab stated: “He is the last person anybody would want to hurt. The stories about friction are completely out of context, and we believe those promoting them are deliberately trying to create a rift where there is none. The NCA and CAN are together—one addressing national issues while the other addresses Northern regional concerns.”
He also clarified that the Northern Christian Forum is not “anti-government” as suggested in some quarters. “We are known for telling the government the truth for the sake of national development. Every responsible government should pray for people who will tell them the truth, not those who act like ‘nice guys’ only to let the country fall. We love this country and will help it develop by speaking truth to power.”
On whether CAN was strong enough to address Northern concerns, he said: “It’s not that CAN can’t address issues in the North. It’s just that the issues in the North can be overwhelming and might becloud the general workings of CAN. That is why there is a need to strengthen the Northern Christian leaders’ forum. We are reclaiming our 1964 identity to strengthen the regional voice.”
The body consists of Christian leaders across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The decision to adopt the new name was reached in Kaduna at a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting of CAN chairmen, secretaries, and representatives of the youth and women’s wings.
He stressed: “The change was not a breakaway but a return to history. We are CAN. We are Christians. But when we speak about issues affecting Christians in Northern Nigeria, we believe we should have a distinct identity.”
He explained that the word “Nigeria” was deliberately excluded from the revived name as a mark of respect to the parent body. The forum has been fully registered and incorporated as the Forum of Northern Christians and the FCT, formerly known as Northern CAN.
Hayab said that the body would focus on specific challenges, including religious freedom, access to education, the shortage of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) teachers in schools, and limited admission opportunities for Christian children in certain parts of the North.
“These are serious issues that demand focused attention,” Hayab said. “Our priority is to ensure our people are treated as equal citizens and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”