The crisis rocking the Arewa Consultative Forum deepened on Wednesday as the forum announced the immediate suspension of its Board of Trustees Chairman, Bashir M. Dalhatu, over alleged financial misconduct and constitutional violations.
The development came as the ACF national headquarters in Kaduna remained under police watch following tensions within the organisation.
Although reports earlier claimed that the premises had been sealed by security operatives, the Kaduna State Police Command clarified that officers were only deployed to the secretariat to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order arising from disagreements between rival factions in the forum.
The suspension of Dalhatu was announced after a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting presided over by the forum’s chairman, Mike Mamman Osuman, with delegates drawn from 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The meeting was held at an undisclosed location in Kaduna after the forum relocated from its headquarters.
Speaking after the meeting, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohammed Baba, said the venue was deliberately kept confidential to avoid putting the property owner under pressure.
“We got a venue outside our sealed national secretariat in Kaduna and paid for it. We held our meeting successfully there,” he said.
Announcing the suspension alongside the Chairman of the Ethics and Conduct Committee, Prof. Mohammed Jamo, Baba explained that the decision followed allegations of financial mismanagement and governance breaches against the BoT chairman.
According to him, the NEC reviewed a report submitted by the Ethics and Conduct Committee, which was established to investigate petitions relating to the forum’s financial administration and governance practices.
He stated that the committee’s preliminary findings raised serious concerns that warranted further investigation.
Based on the recommendations, the NEC passed a vote of no confidence in Dalhatu and approved his suspension pending the conclusion of investigations.
The committee also ordered a forensic audit of all financial activities of the ACF, including its Endowment Fund, and directed that any improperly managed funds be recovered.
The NEC further reaffirmed confidence in the current National Working Committee led by Osuman and retained the forum’s secretary-general pending any constitutional review process.
The forum also condemned the police presence at its headquarters, describing it as interference in its internal affairs and constitutional rights.
Chairman of the Ethics and Conduct Committee, Prof. Nuhu Mohammed Jamo, said the panel invited the BoT chairman to respond to allegations within 48 hours but received no reply.
“Most of our findings indicate violations of the constitutional provisions of the ACF,” Jamo stated.
Before his suspension, Dalhatu had accused the forum’s Secretary-General, Murtala Aliyu, of refusing to vacate office after the expiration of his tenure.
In a statement, Dalhatu alleged that Aliyu’s refusal to step down was responsible for the ongoing leadership crisis within the organisation.
According to him, the Board of Trustees had acted in line with the ACF constitution by initiating leadership succession processes after the expiration of the tenure of some officials.
He claimed that Aliyu, who he said had spent seven years as secretary-general contrary to constitutional provisions, rejected settlement terms and refused to leave office.
Dalhatu, however, denied allegations of financial impropriety, insisting that all donations made into the ACF Endowment Fund were safely deposited in the bank and remained beyond the control of the secretariat or the Board of Trustees.
Attempts to reach Aliyu for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone was reportedly switched off.
