Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse has cautioned the organization’s officials—both at the national and state levels—against making conflicting public statements.
He emphasized the importance of clear, coordinated communication that aligns with the ACF constitution.
Dalhatu made this appeal during a BOT meeting held Tuesday at the ACF’s national secretariat in Kaduna.
He referenced recent instances where high-ranking members issued contradictory statements to the press, underscoring the urgency of establishing a robust communication protocol to safeguard the Forum’s reputation and internal cohesion.
“The ACF today stands in great need of a firm protocol that should guide and regulate the manner in which officials speak about our affairs,” he said.
He reiterated the BOT’s constitutional responsibility to provide guidance and interpretive oversight, urging members to strictly adhere to the organization’s founding principles.
Looking ahead to the ACF’s 25th anniversary celebration scheduled for November 20–22, 2025, in Kaduna, Dalhatu called on members to get actively involved in the preparations. The event, he said, will feature key initiatives such as fundraising for a permanent national headquarters, the launch of an endowment fund aimed at reducing poverty in Northern Nigeria, and the unveiling of new publications.
“A great deal of work has gone into the preparations,” he noted, calling on members to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Forum.
Touching on political matters, the BOT Chairman reminded members that while individuals are free to associate with any political party, the ACF itself must remain strictly non-partisan.
“Although members may belong to political parties of their choice, as an organization, ACF is politically non-partisan and would not support one party over another,” he stated.
Dalhatu also expressed concern over the emergence of various northern-based interest groups that mirror the ACF’s objectives. He encouraged these bodies to return to the fold under the ACF umbrella to strengthen collective advocacy and regional development efforts.
“Our strength lies in our unity, in pooling resources together and speaking with one voice,” he said, noting that the ACF itself was born out of the merger of multiple northern groups back in 2000.
In his closing remarks, he praised the armed forces and security agencies for their continued efforts in fighting insurgency and criminality. He offered prayers for the repose of fallen personnel and condemned actions he described as attempts to undermine the Dangote Refinery.
He warned that those working against the refinery’s success were “working on behalf of the enemies of Nigeria” and called on the federal government to take urgent action to secure the facility, which he described as vital to national economic stability and self-sufficiency.
