ACF BoT members defend Bashir Dalhatu, reject suspension move

Over 70 members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have risen in defence of its chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, saying the National Executive Committee of the forum has no power to remove or suspend him. They also maintained that he remains the chairman of the board.

In a statement issued and signed by elder statesmen including Hassan Adamu, Muhammad Maigoro, A.M. Haruna, former SGF Yayale Ahmed, Yusuf Buratai, Solomon Dalung, former IGP M.D. Abubakar, Ibrahim Shekarau, Abdullahi Adamu and Sule Lamido, among others, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, the group “condemned the reckless, illegal and ill-advised actions of a tiny, disgruntled minority within the forum.”

The statement averred that the action of the group was “in flagrant violation of the ACF Constitution, rules, regulations, norms and established traditions,” alleging that it convened an illegitimate meeting on May 6, 2026, and issued a press release containing “unfounded and malicious allegations” against the BoT chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Council of ACF lacks the authority whatsoever to make any legal pronouncement on the leadership of the Board of Trustees.

“It has no powers under our Constitution to appoint, suspend or remove any member of the Board of Trustees, let alone its chairman. The actions of this small group represent a dangerous act of indiscipline, gross insubordination and a blatant attempt to undermine the very foundation of the forum.

“It is particularly regrettable and unfortunate that the Chairman of the National Executive Committee, Mike Mamman Osman, SAN, permitted the illegal actions of the erstwhile Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu, whose tenure expired on March 10, 2026.

“All actions taken by the said former Secretary General after that date are null, void and of no effect. He has since been placed under investigation for his conduct while in office.

ALSO READ: 2027: Six Kano APC senatorial aspirants step down for Shekarau

“The Board of Trustees has directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this treachery which, no doubt, was calculated to discredit the forum, malign its hard-earned reputation and relegate it into the scrap heap.

“We wish to state categorically that there is no leadership crisis or tussle in the Arewa Consultative Forum. What we are witnessing is nothing but the desperate and self-serving machinations of a disgruntled former officer who has refused to vacate his seat after the expiration of his tenure and has resorted to recruiting a few like-minded individuals to do his bidding.

“The Arewa Consultative Forum remains one, undaunted and strong. After 25 years of selfless and impactful service to the people of Northern Nigeria, the forum will not be distracted from its sacred mandate of promoting unity and advancing the legitimate interests of Arewa.

“Irrespective of these attempts at sabotage, we shall continue to pursue this noble objective with greater courage, vigour and commitment.

“We call on the general public, especially the good people of Northern Nigeria, to disregard the fabricated falsehoods being peddled by these few renegades.

“We also wish to assure the public, in particular, that donations received on behalf of the ACF Endowment Fund are safely warehoused in the bank, well out of the reach of the Secretariat, the National Executive Committee or even, for that matter, the BoT.

“A high-powered panel of experienced members of the ACF has since been appointed to implement and manage the Endowment Fund Project.

“The Board of Trustees reaffirms its confidence in and support for its chairman, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed Dalhatu. In the coming days, we will take strong measures to address this needless crisis and re-establish discipline, peace and order in this very important organisation.”