ACF Suspends BoT Chairman Over Alleged Constitutional Breaches

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, over alleged breaches of the organisation’s constitution.

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The decision was taken at an emergency NEC meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Naija News reports that the meeting came amid tension within the forum following reported police restriction of access to the ACF headquarters on Tuesday, ahead of the gathering.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukor Muhammad-Baba, said delegates from about 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory attended the emergency session.

He explained that the meeting was later held at an alternative venue in Kaduna after members were allegedly denied access to the forum’s headquarters.

Muhammad-Baba said the NEC condemned the restriction of access to the ACF premises, describing it as unlawful interference in the internal affairs of the forum.

According to him, the action also amounted to a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of association.

He said the forum viewed the development as unacceptable, especially as the ACF remained a lawful socio-cultural organisation with the right to conduct its internal affairs without undue interference.

The ACF spokesman said the NEC also rejected claims that the organisation was facing a leadership crisis.

He maintained that what happened was not a leadership crisis but a situation allegedly caused by the misinterpretation of constitutional provisions and attempts by some persons to usurp authority within the forum.

Muhammad-Baba said deliberations at the emergency meeting focused on the report of an Ethics and Conduct Committee earlier constituted to examine a petition on financial management and governance in the forum.

He stated that the committee’s preliminary findings raised serious concerns about due process and financial administration within the organisation.

According to him, the NEC resolved that the issues identified in the report required further investigation in the interest of transparency, accountability and proper governance.

He said the forum would not ignore matters capable of affecting its credibility and internal discipline.

Based on the recommendation of the Ethics and Conduct Committee, the NEC passed a vote of no confidence in Dalhatu and approved his immediate suspension as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Muhammad-Baba said the suspension would remain in force pending the conclusion of further investigations into the issues raised before the committee.

The forum also reaffirmed its commitment to due process, constitutional order and internal accountability.

It added that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the ACF and ensure that its affairs are conducted in line with its constitution.

The NEC further insisted that there was no leadership crisis in the forum, stressing that its structures remained intact.

It blamed the recent tension on alleged efforts by some individuals to misrepresent the organisation’s constitution and assume powers not granted to them.

The forum called on members across the North and the FCT to remain calm and allow the approved internal processes to run their course.

It also restated its condemnation of the reported police barricade of its Kaduna headquarters, describing it as an unacceptable interference with its operations and constitutional rights.