The National Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday declared the chairmanship election of its Imo State Chapter inconclusive, citing constitutional breaches and an unresolved voting outcome.
The CAN committee also disclosed that no candidate secured the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority required for a winner to emerge.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri at the CAN secretariat, the Director, National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayoba, noted that the CAN constitution stipulates that a valid election outcome must meet this threshold to be deemed credible and binding.
KUKURUKU gathered that the election process involved an Electoral College composed of 15 members—three representatives from each of CAN’s five recognised blocs. While Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald C. Njoku was initially returned unopposed by this group, the broader ratification by the CAN State Executive Council, made up of 27 Local Government Chairmen and 10 bloc leaders did not meet the constitutional requirement for final approval.
According to official figures, Fr. Gerald received 45 votes, while 38 members withheld their ratification. The shortfall means the required two-thirds majority was not achieved. As per CAN’s constitutional guidelines, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria must now resubmit its name for a final round of voting by the Electoral College.
Meanwhile, the National Committee has officially dissolved the leadership of Rev. Eches Divine Eches, whose tenure expired on May 19, 2025.
Rev. Eches represented the TEKAN and ECWA Fellowship bloc. His administration’s dissolution marks the formal end of his term and that of his executive members.
Pending the outcome of the chairmanship race, the leadership of the Imo State CAN now resides temporarily with the Catholic bloc, as directed by the National Committee.
The rotational leadership structure enshrined in the CAN constitution mandates that the chairmanship rotates among its five blocs every five years. With the TEKAN bloc’s tenure now complete, the chairmanship is due to move to the CSN bloc.
In the meantime, other key leadership positions have been allocated as follows:
Deputy Chairman – From the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)
Secretary – From the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN)
Treasurer – From The Evangelical Church Winning All/Northern Church bloc (TeKAN)
A representative of the CAN National Chairman and the National Director of issues and social welfare, Commodore Abimbola Ayoba, reaffirmed the association’s dedication to upholding its constitutional guidelines.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is governed by a constitution that ensures equity among the blocs. Respecting the rotational arrangement fosters unity and stability within the Church,” the representative stated.
He further called for calm and understanding among all parties, urging leaders and delegates to prioritise peace and constitutional order.
“The peace of this nation reflects in the unity of the Church. We must continue to set an example of order, respect, and godly leadership,” he added.
The CAN National Executive is expected to announce further directives regarding the resubmission and conclusion of the Imo State chairmanship election in the coming days.
