Christian Association of Nigeria


The Christian Association of Nigeria is an umbrella organisation containing numerous Christian denominations in Nigeria.

History

The Christian Association of Nigeria was founded in 1976, and originally only contained the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant groups. However, it later expanded to include Pentecostal churches as well.
In 2000, the CAN protested the adoption of Sharia law in northern states. In February 2006, while President of the organisation, Akinola issued a statement in response to Muslim violence against Christians, telling Muslims that they did not have a "monopoly on violence". The following day, Christians rioted in retaliation against Muslims, leading to more than 70 deaths. Akinola later claimed his statements had been misinterpreted in the western media. He even threatened to resign in case the riots should continue.
On 2 May 2004, more than 630 Muslims were killed in Yelwa, Nigeria. The dead were pinned white name tags identifying them as members of the CAN. The massacre is known as the Yelwa massacre.
In September 2007, the organisation endorsed a social security plan put forth by Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
The National Assembly of the CAN will be meeting on Thursday 18 July 2019 to consider either ratifying or rejecting the election of Dr Supo Ayokunle for a second term as the President.

Organisation

The organisation is made up of five blocs; they are the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the aforementioned Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the Evangelical Fellowship of West Africa.
The CAN has Women and Youth Wings, a National Executive Council consisting of 105 members, and a General Assembly of 304 members.

Leadership

, President of The Nigerian Baptist Convention, is the President and Prof. Joseph Otubu, of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, is Vice President.
Ayokunle was re-elected for second term and inaugurated on July 2019 alongside his vice president Rev Dr. Caleb Ahina.
Former presidents include
The Presidents
OrderTerm of OfficeTenure ServedNamePlace of BirthDenominationNotes
1November 1988 - November 19952 re-elected 1992Anthony Cardinal OkogieLagos, NigeriaRoman Catholic
2November 1995 - November 20032 re-elected 1999Sunday C. MbangAkwa Ibom, NigeriaMethodist
3November 2003 - June 20071Peter AkinolaOgun, NigeriaAnglican
4June 2007 - July 20101Archbishop John OnaiyekanKabba, NigeriaRoman Catholic
5July 2010 - July 20162 re-elected 2013Ayo OritsejaforWarri, NigeriaPentecostal
6July 2016 - Presentre-elected
incumbent		Supo AyokunleOyo, NigeriaBaptist