By Alhassan Abdullahi, Kaduna
National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum has suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Bashir M. Dalhatu, over alleged breaches of the organisation’s constitution.
The NEC equally passed a vote of no confidence in Dalhatu and subsequently approved his immediate suspension as Chairman of the Board of Trustees pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
Addressing journalists after the emergency meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Tukor Muhammad-Baba, disclosed that delegates from about 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) eventually convened after relocating to an alternative venue within Kaduna due to the situation at the organisation’s headquarters.
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Muhammad-Baba said the NEC strongly condemned the restriction of access to the ACF premises, describing it as unlawful interference in the internal affairs of the forum and a violation of the constitutional right to association.
He further stated that the NEC rejected suggestions of a leadership crisis within the ACF, insisting that the situation stemmed from alleged misinterpretation of constitutional provisions and attempts by certain individuals to usurp authority within the organisation.
According to him, deliberations during the meeting centred on the report submitted by an Ethics and Conduct Committee established to investigate a petition concerning financial management and governance issues within the forum.
Muhammad-Baba explained that preliminary findings by the committee raised serious concerns, particularly regarding due process and financial administration, which he said required deeper investigation.
The decision was reached during an emergency NEC meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday amid heightened tension following the reported restriction of access to the ACF headquarters by police operatives ahead of the gathering on Tuesday.
The forum also condemned the reported police barricade of its headquarters, describing the development as unacceptable interference with its operations and constitutional rights.
