From Mustapha Saye, Kaduna
The leadership crisis rocking the Arewa Consultative Forum deepened on Wednesday as 11 elders of the Forum’s Board of Trustees (BoT) dismissed the purported removal of BoT Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, describing the action as “reckless, illegal and ill-advised.”
In a strongly worded statement, the elders condemned the May 6 meeting convened by what they described as a “tiny, disgruntled minority” within the Forum.
The faction had issued a press release announcing Dalhatu’s removal and leveled what the BoT members termed “unfounded and malicious allegations” against the Wazirin Dutse.
The statement said that, “for the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ACF lacks the authority whatsoever to make any legal pronouncement on the leadership of the Board of Trustees.”
It further stated that the group “has no powers under our Constitution to appoint, suspend or remove any member of the Board of Trustees, let alone its Chairman.”
The BoT members who signed the statement include Hassan Adamu, retired Generals Muhammad Magoro and AB Mamman, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, former Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar, former governors Abdullahi Adamu, Sule Lamido, Ibrahim Shekarau and Muktar R. Yero, as well as Kabiru Gaya and Saminu Turaki.
They described the actions of the faction as “a dangerous act of indiscipline, gross insubordination and a blatant attempt to undermine the very foundation of the Forum.”
The statement also faulted NEC Chairman, Mike Mamman Osman, for allegedly allowing former Secretary General Murtala Aliyu to continue acting despite the expiration of his tenure 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,” the elders added.
The development has further heightened tension within the ACF, amid reports of factions declaring offices vacant while the Forum’s leadership continues to urge aggrieved members to embrace peace and reconciliation.
