By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum has suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, over allegations bordering on financial impropriety and violations of constitutional procedures.
The resolution was reached during an emergency NEC meeting convened in Kaduna amid heightened tension after police operatives reportedly sealed off the forum’s headquarters located on Sokoto Road, compelling members to shift proceedings to another venue.
Despite the disruption, delegates representing 18 northern states alongside the Federal Capital Territory reconvened at the alternative location where deliberations continued.
Speaking after the meeting, the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohamed Baba, disclosed that the NEC strongly condemned the police action, describing it as an obstruction that denied staff and delegates access to the meeting venue.
He alleged that the operation was carried out on directives from higher authorities, with workers allegedly forced out of the premises in the early hours of the day.
Prof. Baba stated that the NEC subsequently passed a vote of no confidence on the BOT chairman following preliminary findings submitted by the Ethics and Conduct Committee, which reportedly uncovered evidence of financial irregularities and disregard for provisions of the ACF constitution.
According to him, Alhaji Dalhatu was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations but failed to appear before the panel, leading to the recommendation for his suspension pending further investigation.
The NEC also directed that a full forensic audit be carried out on all financial transactions and accounts of the forum, including the endowment fund, to ascertain whether resources were managed in accordance with constitutional guidelines.
As part of the measures adopted, the committee approved unrestricted access to relevant financial documents and vowed to recover any funds discovered to have been misappropriated.
Prof. Baba, however, maintained that the decision was intended to preserve the integrity of the forum rather than punish any individual, stressing that due process and fairness would guide all subsequent actions.
The NEC equally passed a vote of confidence on the National Working Committee led by Chairman Mamma Mike Ousmane as well as the Secretary-General, reaffirming support for the current leadership structure.
He dismissed reports suggesting a leadership crisis within the organization, insisting that recent developments amounted to attempts to undermine the constitutional authority of the forum.
Also addressing journalists, Chairman of the forum’s Code of Conduct Committee, Prof. Nuhu Muhammad Jamu, said the panel acted within a limited timeframe and had provided the BOT chairman a 48-hour window to respond to the petition but received no submission from him.
Prof. Jamu explained that the committee identified several constitutional breaches relating to the separation of powers between the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Council, and the National Working Committee.
He alleged that the BOT chairman exceeded his constitutional role by cancelling a meeting convened by the forum’s chairman without possessing the authority to do so under the organization’s rules.
The committee further raised concerns over irregular membership participation in certain proceedings, noting that some individuals involved were allegedly not properly registered members of the forum.
Prof. Jamu also questioned the management of the endowment fund, alleging that the BOT chairman made himself a signatory to the account and issued directives to subordinate officers in a manner inconsistent with the advisory responsibilities assigned to trustees.
He described the handling of the fund as troubling, particularly in view of alleged movements of funds without adequate oversight mechanisms.
According to him, the suspension was designed to ensure a transparent and unbiased investigation in line with the principles of natural justice and accountability.
The committee consequently recommended a forensic examination of the endowment fund and other financial records to determine the extent of any possible misapplication of resources and facilitate recovery where necessary.
Prof. Jamu added that the recommendations were aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity within the forum as it prepares for future constitutional activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
