The Taraba State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is facing a major crisis following the indefinite postponement of its election, which was originally scheduled for January 17, 2025. This marks the second delay in the election process, as an earlier attempt in November 2024 was disrupted due to disagreements over rotational leadership arrangements.
Tensions escalated after the Catholic Bloc threatened to boycott the election unless their candidate was given the opportunity to assume the chairmanship position. Despite efforts to resolve the standoff, including setting up an electoral college with representatives from CAN’s five blocs, the impasse remains unresolved, leaving the chapter in uncertainty.
Reports indicate that the most recent postponement is linked to a petition filed by the Global Methodist Church against one of the candidates, Rev. Philip Micah Dopah. This development has added to the mounting tension, with some stakeholders alleging foul play by the former CAN chairman, Rev. Isaiah Jirape. They accuse Jirape of creating confusion to influence the election outcome in favor of a successor who will allow him to retain control over the association’s leadership.
Critics claim Jirape’s actions are driven by a personal grudge against the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, who in 2024 declined to reappoint him as Chairman of the Taraba State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board. Since then, Jirape is said to have worked against the governor’s preferred candidate. Efforts to reach Jirape for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone remained unreachable.
The ongoing crisis has sparked concerns among stakeholders, who worry that prolonged delays and internal conflicts could harm CAN’s unity and weaken its ability to represent and advocate for the Christian community in Taraba State effectively.
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