ECWA Gombe State Withdraws from CAN Christmas Rally Over Longstanding Grievances
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Gombe State has officially withdrawn from the 2025 Christmas Rally organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The decision, made jointly by the ECWA Gombe District Church Council and the ECWA Gombe West District Church Council, was communicated through a formal statement. The church cited years of alleged marginalization, lack of inclusiveness, and leadership failures within the Christian umbrella body as the primary reasons for its withdrawal.
According to the statement, all ECWA churches, institutions, and members in the Gombe metropolis have been directed to avoid participating in the rally and any CAN-related Christmas activities for the 2025 season. The move comes after years of prayer, consultations, and unresolved concerns about the treatment of ECWA members within the association.
Rev. Sa’idu Kwari, Chairman of ECWA Gombe West DCC, and Rev. Dr Adamu Dauda, Chairman of ECWA Gombe DCC, emphasized that the decision was not emotional or impulsive but rather the result of sustained reflection and growing concern over the persistent neglect and marginalization of ECWA members within CAN activities and representations in Gombe State.
The church also highlighted that the CAN leadership failed to provide tangible support to ECWA members who were victims of past violent incidents in different parts of the state. Many affected families remain unattended to, according to ECWA.
Additionally, the church criticized the exclusion of ECWA from meaningful government interventions, relief efforts, and advocacy processes conducted through CAN structures, despite being a major stakeholder in the association. ECWA stressed that the continued pattern of silence and selective engagement had eroded trust. “Despite our contributions and commitment to Christian unity, ECWA has continued to experience exclusion from critical engagements. This has deeply tested the patience and goodwill of our members,” the statement added.
As part of the resolution, ECWA announced that no church premises or facilities under its control will be used to host or support any CAN Christmas-related activity this year. The leadership explained that the withdrawal was aimed at protecting the unity, conscience, and safety of its members.
“We are committed to principled Christian witness, not symbolic participation without substance,” the statement said. In place of the Christmas rally, ECWA encouraged its local churches to adopt community-based Christmas engagements, including goodwill visits to traditional rulers and local community leaders, as well as prayers and peace messages at the grassroots level.
The church believes that Christian witness should be demonstrated through meaningful relationships and peace-building rather than public displays. ECWA reaffirmed its commitment to the unity of the Body of Christ, stressing that such unity must be built on justice, fairness, accountability, and love.
The church urged its members to remain calm, law-abiding, and prayerful throughout the Christmas season, expressing hope that the decision would encourage reflection and reforms within CAN leadership.
