ACF Rejects External Interference As Leadership Crisis Deepens

The apex northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) national executive committee has said the forum will not submit to external manipulation as its leadership crisis enters seven days.

The forum’s national secretariat located on Sokoto Road was sealed off by the police last week Tuesday.

The ACF NEC had said it suspended the BoT chairman, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, the claim the board of trustees rejected.

Members of the BoT in a statement at the weekend had accused the embattled Secretary-General, Murtala Aliyu, of causing the crisis and urged him to stop parading himself as his tenure expired since March, 2026.

On Monday, apparently responding to BoT, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba released a statement detailing the outcome of its NEC meeting held on 6th March, 2026.

The NEC warned any individuals contracted to partake in any committee or otherwise undertake any assignment by the BOT or its Chairman as such will remain futile, illegal, null, void, to no effect and will not be recognised.

According to the statement, “NEC noted the unprecedented siege and sealing of ACF’s Head office by the police and unanimously condemned, in the strongest terms, the illegal and illogical action as a direct and egregious assault on the constitutional rights of groups and individuals in Northern Nigeria and elsewhere in the country.

“NEC demanded the immediate and unconditional reversal of the siege, the withdrawal of the NPF agents and the identification of and necessary disciplinary action against those responsible for the illegal action. NEC commended the resilience of its members and their refusal to be provoked into illegal actions in the face of unwarranted provocation and intimidation by the NPF agents.

The statement added, “NEC chairman commended NEC members for their commitment and refusal to be taken for granted or submit to external manipulation. He appealed for more of such as these this will be critical in ensuring solidification of the collective voice of Northern people as a group that must be reckoned with in all Nigerian affairs.

“NEC passed a vote of confidence on the NWC, calling on such persons to remain steadfast and committed to ensuring fidelity to provisions of the Constitution of the ACF.

“NEC resolved that the ACF remains unbroken, undeterred and more united than ever, calling on all well-meaning Nigerians and Northerners to stand united and committed to the rule of law, reject all impunities, abuse of privileges and tyranny,” the statement added.