The leadership crisis rocking the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has deepened, with one faction warning financial institutions and individuals against allegedly tampering with about ₦3.88 billion belonging to the northern socio-cultural organisation.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohammad-Baba, following a meeting of the Forum’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

According to the statement, the NEC expressed concern that the Forum’s funds remain lodged in a bank at what it described as a “paltry” interest rate of eight per cent despite proposals from other financial institutions offering returns of up to 20 per cent.

“The NEC strongly warns financial institutions and individuals against misplaced cupidity, illegalities and improprieties in the management of any of its funds,” Mohammad-Baba said.
He added that the Forum would pursue all legal remedies against any institution or individual found to have improperly handled its funds.

The spokesperson also maintained that the ACF’s NEC and National Working Committee (NWC) remain fully operational and committed to advancing the interests of Northern Nigeria in accordance with the organisation’s constitution.

He said the statement became necessary following persistent enquiries about the Forum’s internal affairs, insisting that the ACF remained focused on the vision and objectives of its founding fathers.
Mohammad-Baba dismissed what he described as false and misleading publications concerning the Forum’s affairs, alleging that certain individuals were attempting to create confusion over its leadership.

He also faulted an advertorial published in three national newspapers, which purportedly conveyed decisions reached during an online meeting of ACF state chairmen and secretaries.

According to him, no such platform exists under the ACF Constitution, which recognises only five operational organs—the Patrons, General Assembly, Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Committee and National Working Committee.

He further stated that the NWC, at its meeting on June 19, 2026, in Kaduna, reaffirmed its confidence in Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman and Mallam Murtala Aliyu as Chairman and Secretary-General, respectively, of both the NEC and NWC.

The meeting, he said, also resolved to refer any member found culpable of violating the Forum’s Code of Conduct and Ethics to the appropriate disciplinary committee.

Mohammad-Baba alleged that many state chapters had distanced themselves from the purported online meeting and that the advertorial was sponsored by an estate management firm with no known affiliation to the ACF.

He also challenged the reported inauguration of an Endowment Fund Management Committee by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, arguing that only the NEC has the constitutional authority to establish such committees.

According to him, Dalhatu has remained suspended from the Forum since May 6, 2026, pending investigation into allegations of misconduct and abuse of office during his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

He added that Dalhatu’s suspension remains in force because he has allegedly failed to appear before the Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee to respond to the allegations.

Mohammad-Baba further warned that the purported Endowment Fund Management Committee was not recognised by the Forum and that some of those listed as members were not bona fide members of the ACF under its constitution.

However, an official of the opposing faction, Mallam Burka Zarma, rejected Mohammad-Baba’s position.
In a response, Zarma accused the ACF spokesperson of questioning the membership status of some Northerners participating in the Forum’s affairs.
He claimed that when Mohammad-Baba’s nomination as ACF National Publicity Secretary was considered about two years ago, some members had objected on the grounds that he was not then an active member of the Forum.

According to Zarma, the committee nonetheless approved his appointment because the ACF Constitution recognises any Northerner as a member once he or she registers with the organisation.
“That’s the reason why you are today, an erstwhile ‘non-member’, a member of ACF and its Publicity Secretary,” Zarma said.