Rev. Dopah sues for calm as Catholic Church petitions Christian Association of Nigeria over election in Taraba

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By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo

Christians in Taraba State have been urged to remain calm following postponement of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) election arising from a petition by the Catholic Church threatening to boycott the election should they proceed and conduct it.

The Interim Secretary of the association, Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah disclosed this while speaking with our correspondent in Jalingo on Friday.

He said the scheduled November 7 Election of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Taraba state has been postponed by its national Leadership with the current state executives also dissolved.

According to him, five bloc heads of CAN now form the interim leaders of the Association with Rev. Iro Alyuda Moses of CCN bloc as interim chairman and Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah of Tekan/ECWA bloc as interim secretary.

Others are Rev. Fr. Williams Awoshiri of CSN, Rev. Dr. Nelson Duna CPFN and Rev. Anayo Ile, OAIC.

Rev. Dopah further disclosed that the interim committee members have three roles to play and these comprises (a). To reconcile the agreed parties mostly catholic bloc that currently issued petition to bycott election, (b). Formation of the electoral college and (c). To ensure modalities for the election to be conducted from now to the end of March 2025.

He revealed that ten delegates from eight bloc participated in the recent congress including the catholic church before the sudden petition to the national delegate, which resulted in the postponement of election pending the ratification.

The clergy however made a Clarion call to Christians in the state, urging for calm, support, cooperation and prayers as CAN remain a one united family while promising a hitch free and peaceful election coming up before the end of march 2025.

Recall that the Catholic secretariat of Nigeria CSN Taraba State chapter has boycotted the 2024 CAN election slated for 7th of November, 2024 and directed all her members contesting for key and minor positions as well as delegates to back down and vacate the election premises.