Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum has dismissed as illegal and unconstitutional the purported suspension of its chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse, describing the move as the handiwork of a “tiny disgruntled minority” within the forum.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Sunday, the BoT condemned what it called “reckless, illegal and ill-advised actions” of some members who allegedly convened an illegitimate meeting on May 6, 2026, and announced the suspension of Dalhatu over alleged misconduct and financial irregularities.
The trustees maintained that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the forum lacks the constitutional powers to appoint, suspend or remove any member of the BoT, including 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,” the statement said.
The BoT also accused the Chairman of the National Executive Committee, Mike Mamman Osman (SAN), of allowing what it termed illegal actions allegedly orchestrated by the former Secretary General of the forum, Murtala Aliyu, whose tenure, according to the trustees, expired on March 10, 2026.
It said all actions taken by Aliyu after the expiration of his tenure were “null, void and of no effect,” adding that he had already been placed under investigation over his conduct while in office.
The trustees further disclosed that a thorough investigation had been ordered into the circumstances surrounding the crisis, which they described as a calculated attempt to discredit the forum and damage its reputation.
The statement insisted that there was no leadership crisis within the ACF, blaming the development on “desperate and self-serving machinations” of a former officer unwilling to relinquish office after the expiration of his tenure.
“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,” the BoT stated.
Addressing concerns over alleged financial impropriety, the trustees assured the public that donations received for the ACF Endowment Fund were safely kept in the bank and beyond the control of the secretariat, NEC or even the BoT itself.
According to the statement, a high-powered panel comprising experienced members of the forum had already been constituted to manage and implement the endowment fund project.
The BoT reaffirmed its confidence in Dalhatu and vowed to take decisive measures to restore discipline, peace and order within the organisation.
The statement was endorsed by several prominent northern political figures, elder statesmen and retired military officers, including former governors, ministers, diplomats and senior security officials.
