The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu.
This decision follows an emergency meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where members reviewed alleged violations of the organisation’s constitution.
The gathering in Kaduna was nearly derailed after security forces reportedly restricted access to the ACF headquarters.
Representatives from 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory moved to an alternative location to conduct their business.
National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukor Muhammad-Baba, condemned the heavy-duty police presence. He described the restriction as an unlawful interference in the internal affairs of the socio-cultural body.
Ethics Committee Reports Governance and Financial Gaps
The emergency meeting focused on a report from an Ethics and Conduct Committee. This panel was previously established to investigate a petition regarding governance and financial management within the forum.
Preliminary findings raised serious concerns over due process and financial administration under the current BoT leadership.
In light of these issues, the NEC felt it was necessary to take immediate action to preserve the integrity of the northern body.
“Based on the committee’s recommendations, the NEC passed a vote of no confidence in Dalhatu,” Muhammad-Baba stated. He added that the suspension remains in effect pending the outcome of further investigations.
Furthermore, the ACF leadership clarified that this was not a sign of a deeper crisis. Instead, they framed it as a move to ensure strict adherence to their constitution and to protect against the unlawful assumption of authority.
Police Interference and Constitutional Rights
The reported blockade of the Kaduna headquarters has drawn sharp criticism from the forum’s members. Muhammad-Baba insisted that members have a constitutional right to freedom of association without external pressure.
“The forum remains a legitimate socio-cultural body with the authority to manage its activities without external interference,” the spokesman declared. He also dismissed rumors that the ACF was falling apart due to a leadership vacuum.
Meanwhile, the forum urged its millions of members across Northern Nigeria to remain calm. They believe that following internal processes is the only way to resolve the current disagreement over financial and administrative rules.
Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, a former Minister of Power and Steel, has been a prominent figure in northern politics for decades. His suspension marks a significant shift in the internal power dynamics of the influential group.
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