Lalong Should Desist From Meddling in Church Affairs —Northern Christian Youth Warn

By Tgnews

In a fiery press conference released today in Kaduna, Concerned Christian Youth of Northern Nigeria issued a stern warning to Senator Simon Bako Lalong, urging him to refrain from interfering in the leadership affairs of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North.

A statement, signed by Paul Katuka on behalf of the group and read to journalists accuses the former Plateau State Governor of overstepping his bounds by publicly congratulating Rev. John Hayap as the alleged factional Chairman of Northern CAN—an election they describe as shrouded in controversy and lacking legitimacy.

The youth group expressed outrage over what they perceive as Lalong’s unwarranted intrusion into ecclesiastical matters, emphasizing that as a politician and a Catholic, he holds no authority to validate or influence the leadership of Northern CAN.

“If this election were legitimate, we would have heard from church leaders—the Baptist President, the National CAN President, or other denominational heads—not a politician with no standing in the Church’s internal affairs,” the statement read.

The Church is not a political playground where backdoor manipulations and external sponsorships can dictate leadership

The group pointed to a pattern of behavior, citing Lalong’s swift congratulations to Bishop Stephen Adegbite following the removal of Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam from the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) as evidence of his tendency to meddle in Christian leadership matters.

However, they argue that his latest involvement in the Northern CAN leadership dispute crosses an unacceptable line.

“The Church is not a political playground where backdoor manipulations and external sponsorships can dictate leadership,” they asserted.

At the heart of their grievances lies a pointed question: What is Senator Lalong’s vendetta against Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, a respected figure in the Northern Christian community?

If he is indeed one of the sponsors of this failed coup, then let it be known that he has already lost

The youth suggest that Lalong’s actions may be part of a broader scheme to undermine Pam and sow discord within the Church. “If he is indeed one of the sponsors of this failed coup, then let it be known that he has already lost,” the statement declared boldly.

The Concerned Northern Christian Youth vowed to resist any external attempts to destabilize the spiritual leadership of the region, calling Lalong’s alleged interference a “calculated attempt to divide the Body of Christ.”

They urged the senator to redirect his political energies elsewhere and warned that the leadership of Northern CAN—a role they describe as a divine calling—will not be reduced to a political appointment.

In a rallying cry, the group appealed to Christian leaders across Northern Nigeria to safeguard the Church’s integrity against outside influence.

They also called on young Christians to remain vigilant and united in protecting their faith from what they termed “political contamination.”

The statement has sparked widespread debate within religious and political circles, with many awaiting a response from Senator Lalong or the factions involved in the Northern CAN leadership tussle. As tensions simmer, the Concerned Northern Christian Youth have made it clear they will not back down from their stance, setting the stage for a potential showdown between ecclesiastical autonomy and political ambition.