•Appeals To Governor Agbu Kefas to  Desist From Interfering With their Choice of Jabanyang


The Concerned Mumuye Christians under the auspices of the Mumuye Christians worldwide have written 3 letters in regard to the Jalingo, Yorro, Zing bye-elections; o


The Mumuye Christian concerned youth have called for the immediate removal of the Chairman Taraba State Chapter of the a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).


This is contained in an open letter signed by 14 dignitaries, addressed to the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT, Abuja, Most Revd. Daniel Okoh, dated 9th February, 2024.


Below it reads 


AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN), NATIONAL BODY. 9th February, 2024. Most Revd. Daniel Okoh, The National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT, Abuja. Dear Sir, A CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CHAIRMAN AND CABINET OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, TARABA STATE CHAPTER FOR THEIR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR CONCERNING THE ONGOING BYE-ELECTION IN JALINGO, YORRO, AND ZING FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY. THEIR ACTION ARE SACRILEGIOUS AND AKIN TO THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS AGAINST JESUS. The above-captioned matter refers. We bring you fraternal greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the name of whom we, Concerned Christian Mumuye Sons and Daughters write on behalf of the Mumuye Christians worldwide to express our utter disappointment and dissatisfaction with the way and manner the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Taraba State chapter has been acting which we strongly believe is antithetical to the Constitutional vision and mission of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). To drive home our point, is paramount to put you in the know of the recent events wherein we believe the Chairman of Taraba State CAN has acted contrary to the common interest of the Body of Christ and Christians. In the 2023 General elections, the position of Member Representing Jalingo, Yorro, and Zing, a Federal Constituency in the Northern part of Taraba State, (majorly dominated by the Mumuye people of Taraba State), became vacant due to the unfortunate and untimely demise of the then member-elect as a result of which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the extant provision of the Electoral Act, 2022, scheduled a bye-election which kick-started on the 3rd February 2024 but has now been declared inconclusive, a Christian and a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Taraba State Chapter, Hon Innocent Jabayang Umar, is an aspirant under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). As a result of the massive support enjoyed by Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar, by constituents of Jalingo, Yorro, and Zing, the Chairman of CAN and his cabinet summoned all Christian aspirants in the said bye-election and asked them to step down for Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar, whereupon, CAN endorse the latter as the sole Christian candidate and called upon Christians to rally round and vote him in the bye-election. Christians in these constituents listened to CAN and some who were behind other Christian candidates withdrew their support for Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar at the behest of the leadership of CAN, Taraba State. To the consternation of the entire Taraba State Christendom, on the night of the eve of the election the leadership of CAN, Taraba State approached Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar and demanded that he step down for one Abbas Tafida of the PDP and that the said demand is the instruction of the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas and that the Governor’s instructions are pursuant to a call by the powers that be from Sokoto for the position in question to be left for a Muslim. (It is pertinent to state here that in the entire Central and Northern Taraba, no single Christian is a member or senator in the National Assembly of Nigeria, this means that Christians are voiceless in matters of national importance.) However, Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar respectively informed the delegation of CAN that it was too late to step down for anyone for any reason having gone to all nooks and crannies of the Local Governments and sold his candidature to people. Again the leadership of CAN shocked faithful Christians when we all woke up to a letter written and signed by the Secretary of CAN, Bishop Manasseh Silas Rifore on behalf of CAN, Taraba State Chapter, stating CAN’s withdrawal of support for Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar and endorsement of the candidature of one Sadiq Tafida Abbas of PDP, a Muslim. We vehemently state that the actions of the Chairman of CAN Taraba State Chapter and his cabinet are not only shocking but at utter variance with the mission and vision statement of CAN and the body of Christ entirely. Sir, as a reminder and for your reference, the objective and mission statement of CAN are: An Objective: To act as a liaison committee, by means of which its member churches can consult together and when necessary, make common statements and take common actions. Vision Statement of CAN: To be the unifying voice of all Christians in Nigeria, amplifying their views, and interests and enhancing the spiritual development of all followers of Christ. Sir, the action of CAN Taraba State, under the Chairmanship of Rev, Magaji Jirapye is not only against the objective and mission statement of CAN but endangers the image of CAN in Nigeria. Despite betraying a Christian and endorsing a Muslim in the name of Jesus, Rev. Magaji Jirapye threw all caution to the bin by spreading false rumors of the withdrawal of Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar and even granting an interview to online news outlets such as Punch News, Premium News, etc leading to the criminal and libelous publication of the purported withdrawal of Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar for a Muslim candidate contesting under the platform of the PDP. Sir, this act not only puts CAN at risk of being sued for the civil wrong of libel but also puts the Chairman and indeed CAN Taraba State Chapter at risk of being prosecuted by INEC pursuant to the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022 for the crime of false publication of withdrawal Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar as section 123(b) of Electoral Act 2022 has contemplated and provided thus: Any person (individual or Association or newspaper or television) who before or during an election, publishes any statement of the withdrawal of a candidate at such election knowing it to be false or reckless as to its truth or falsity, is liable to imprisonment for 6 months. OUR CALL In light of the forgoing unethical behavior of the Chairman of CAN Taraba State, Rev. Magaji Jirapye, and his cabinet, and to save the image of CAN in Nigeria, particularly in Taraba State, we advise and demand as follows: That the Chairman and entire cabinet of CAN Taraba State Chapter be dissolved and removed with immediate effect to pave the way for a more responsible and God-fearing leadership to emerge. That in view of the fact that the Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar Campaign Team is strongly advising and pushing him to take legal actions against CAN Taraba State for libeling his name and to file a criminal complaint to INECT against the Chairman and Cabinet of CAN for falsely publishing his withdrawal from the race for Member Jalingo, Yorro, and Zing Federal Constituency and thus causing great loss to his image, chances of victory and otherwise on the eve and day of the bye-election, the CAN Chairman and his cabinet must tender public apology by way of letter, TV, and publication on 3 prominent online and in print local newspapers and 4 national newspaper to Hon. Innocent Jabayang Umar in 24 Hours of the receipt of a copy of this letter by them. That the Chairman of CAN Taraba State and his cabinet retract from and cease all further campaigns of calumny and any other counteracting steps that have been and are being taken against the popular choice of the people and that they remain neutral Kindly note that while we are willing to show mercy on prayers B and C, we shall remain unflinching on our demand in A above. While thanking you for your selfless service to the Body of Christ, please accept the assurances of our most esteemed regard, and may the love and light of Christ guide us to righteousness. Yours faithfully, CONCERNED MUMUYE SONS.


Signed by 

Dr. Chrysanthus Andrew

Barr. Genesis Bandodo Emmanuel 

Barr. Aloysius Paul Gapa

Prince Bernard S. Justine

Mr. Tome Williams Bala

William Gwabiwati Thomas

Mr. Godwin Ibrahim Mante Jr

Basheba Dauda

Mr. Fidelis Daniel Fidelis

Mr. Ntovin Terenyu

Mr. Joshua Andreas

Mr. Isaac Nehemiah

Mr Jidda Terenyu

Mr. Samuel Lucky Marang