Northern leaders, under the umbrella of Arewa Consultive Forum (ACF) have condemned the purported removal of the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Forum, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu by a faction of the group, saying that the sack is reckless, illegal and ill- advised.

According to a statement signed by several elders of ACF, who are also members of the BoT, including, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, retired General Muhammad Magoro, retired
General AB Mamman, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, IGP (rtd) MD Abubakar, former Governor Abdullahi Adamu, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Ibrahim Shekarau, Muktar R.Yero, and Saminu Turaki, “we unequivocally condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the reckless, illegal and ill-advised actions of a tiny, disgruntled minority within the Forum who, in flagrant violation of the ACF Constitution, rules, regulations, norms and established traditions, convened an illegitimate meeting on 6th May 2026 and issued a press release containing unfounded and malicious allegations against the respected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse”.

The statement explained, “for the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Council of ACF lacks the authority whatsoever to make any legal pronouncement on the leadership of the Board of Trustees“, pointing out that “it has no powers under our Constitution to appoint, suspend or remove any member of the Board of Trustees, let alone its Chairman.”

“The actions of this small group represent a dangerous act of indiscipline, gross insubordination and a blatant attempt to undermine the very foundation of the Forum”, it added.

“It is particularly regrettable and unfortunate that the Chairman of the National Executive Committee, Mike Mamman Osman, SAN, permitted the illegal actions of the erstwhile Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu, whose tenure expired on 10th March 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 statement stressed.