The National Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared the recent chairmanship election of its Imo State chapter inconclusive due to constitutional irregularities and failure to meet voting requirements.
According to the committee, no candidate secured the mandatory two-thirds majority as outlined in the CAN constitution, rendering the process invalid.
At a briefing in Owerri, the Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayoba, explained that although Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald C. Njoku was initially returned unopposed by the 15-member Electoral College—comprised of three representatives from each of CAN’s five blocs—the broader State Executive Council, which includes 27 local government chairmen and 10 bloc leaders, did not ratify the nomination as required.
Official figures show that Fr. Njoku received 45 votes, while 38 members withheld ratification, falling short of the required threshold. The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has now been asked to re-submit a candidate for a fresh vote by the Electoral College.
In the meantime, the tenure of Rev. Eches Divine Eches, who represented the TEKAN and ECWA bloc and whose term expired on May 19, 2025, has officially ended. His administration has been dissolved by the National Committee.
Pending the resolution of the chairmanship election, the Catholic bloc will temporarily assume leadership of the Imo State CAN chapter, in line with the association’s rotational leadership policy. This policy mandates that the chairmanship rotates among the five blocs every five years, with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) now taking its turn.
Key interim leadership appointments include:
- Deputy Chairman – Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)
- Secretary – Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN)
- Treasurer – Evangelical Church Winning All/Northern Church bloc (TEKAN)
Speaking on behalf of the National Committee, Commodore Abimbola Ayoba reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to constitutional order, equity, and unity within the Church.
“Our constitution ensures fairness and unity among the blocs. Respecting the rotation system fosters stability and spiritual harmony,” he stated, urging stakeholders to remain calm and maintain peace throughout the transition.
Further guidance from the CAN National Executive on the next steps for concluding the Imo chairmanship election is expected in the coming days.
