NEC, BoT clash over Dalhatu’s suspension

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The crisis rocking the Arewa Consultative Forum continued on Monday as its National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees clashed again over the suspension of BoT Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, over alleged constitutional breaches and financial misconduct.

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The crisis erupted after the NEC announced Dalhatu’s suspension in a communiqué issued after its meeting in Kaduna and signed by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba.

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The NEC accused Dalhatu of interfering in executive functions, illegally constituting committees, managing the organisation’s finances outside approved channels and undermining the constitutional structure of the forum.

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According to the communiqué, delegates from 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory attended the meeting convened by the ACF National Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman.

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The NEC further alleged that Dalhatu attempted to stop the meeting through a notice circulated on the ACF WhatsApp platform advising members not to attend what he described as an “unauthorised meeting.”

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The committee also accused security operatives of barricading the ACF secretariat in Kaduna and preventing delegates, staff and visitors from accessing the premises ahead of the meeting.

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“It stated, however, that NEC members relocated to an alternative venue where the meeting was successfully held,” the communiqué noted.

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At the meeting, NEC considered an interim report submitted by the forum’s Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee, headed by Nuhu M. Jamo.

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The report followed a petition by an ACF member, Murtala Abubakar, accusing Dalhatu of constitutional violations, financial malpractice and undermining the governance structure of the forum.

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Part of the petition alleged that Dalhatu transferred funds realised from the ACF Endowment Fund from the organisation’s official accounts in Kaduna to a Jaiz Bank branch in Kano and made himself a signatory to the account, contrary to constitutional provisions.

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The petitioner also accused the BoT chairman of exercising powers reserved for the NEC and the National Working Committee by setting up committees without approval and involving persons allegedly not registered members of the forum in official activities.

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According to the communiqué, the ethics committee found prima facie evidence suggesting violations of constitutional provisions governing committee formation, financial administration and membership participation.

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The report stated that the ACF constitution clearly vested authority over committees and finances in the NEC and designated officers, while the BoT was limited to supervisory and advisory roles.

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Following deliberations, NEC unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations, including a vote of no confidence in Dalhatu, his suspension pending investigations and an immediate forensic audit of the forum’s finances.

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The communique added that pursuant to Sections 13(1) (a) and 131(b) of the forum’s constitution, Alhaji Dalhatu, according to the findings of the Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee, assumed direct control in matters relating to the finances of the forum even when he did not have such powers under the constitution of the forum.

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The CCEC said, Alhaji Dalhatu, in a letter dated November 20, 2025, to Jaíz Bank, Kano East, Zoo Road, directed that the ACF’s account should be transferred to Saliha Rabiu Garba of the Bello Road Branch.

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It said that, though the Secretary General of the forum, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, co-signed the letter, he was compelled to do so. It said it was an aberration that Alhaji Dalhatu signed the letter as a signatory to the account, because as the BOT chairman, he was not supposed to be a signatory to the forum’s bank account.

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Following the development, the CCEC recommended that a comprehensive forensic audit of ACF’s finances be undertaken immediately.

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NEC noted in the communique the unprecedented siege and sealing of ACF’s head office by the police and unanimously condemned, in the strongest terms, the illegal and illogical action as a direct and egregious assault on the constitutional rights of groups and individuals in Northern Nigeria and elsewhere in the country.

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The NEC extended its solidarity to Mallam Murtala Aliyu as Secretary General, who it implored to remain in office until the end of his term in December 2026.

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The Board of Trustees rejected Dalhatu’s suspension and described the NEC action as illegal and unconstitutional.

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In a statement issued on Sunday, the BoT accused a “tiny, disgruntled minority” within the forum of convening an illegitimate meeting where what it called baseless allegations were levelled against Dalhatu.

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“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 BoT stated.

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The trustees described the suspension as “a dangerous act of indiscipline, gross insubordination and a blatant attempt to undermine the very foundation of the forum.”

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The BoT also accused NEC Chairman, Mike Mamman Osman (SAN), of permitting what it termed the illegal actions of the immediate past Secretary-General of the forum, Murtala Aliyu.

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According to the trustees, Aliyu’s tenure expired on March 10, 2026, and all actions taken by him after that date were “null and void.”

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The board reaffirmed confidence in Dalhatu and assured members that funds donated towards the ACF Endowment Fund remained safe.

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