ACF Belongs To All Northerners, Benue Sons Warn Against Plot To Frustrate National Chairman

The Benue State chapter of the apex northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has warned that the Forum belongs to all 19 northern states, and has declared support for the National Chairman of the Forum, Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN.

The state chapter described Osuman as their respected son.

According to the Benue chapter of ACF, in recent times, many illustrious sons of the state have been subjected to undue harassment, frustration and humiliation in the course of carrying out their responsibilities in the Forum.

The Benue chapter recalled that the likes of the late Col. J. I. Ubah and the late Chief Audu Ogbe were arbitrarily maltreated, humiliated, and frustrated out of office. “We are witnessing the same trend in the case of Chief Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN)”

It warned against what it called sustained attempts to destabilise Osuman’s leadership, cautioning that nobody is more northerner than others.

The Benue ACF made it known in a communique issued by the Forum’s state chairman, Chief Silas Maclkpah and Secretary, Benjamin Agusah.

The communique called on stakeholders to support peace efforts to restore stability in the organisation.

The Benue ACF chapter said it supports the leadership of the national Chairman, Osuman, stressing that he is a respected son of Benue State.

The communique further warned against actions that could undermine Osuman’s authority or cut short his tenure.

According to the communique, “It should be noted that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) belongs to the nineteen (19) Northern States, Benue State inclusive. As such, no individual or group of individuals should claim more ownership of the ACF than the other. In recent times, many illustrious sons of Benue State have been subjected to undue harassment, frustration and humiliation in the course of carrying out their responsibilities in the Forum.

“The likes of the late Col. J. I. Ubah and the late Chief Audu Ogbe were arbitrarily maltreated, humiliated, and frustrated out of office. We are witnessing the same trend in the case of Chief Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) OFR. The Benue State Chapter of the ACF appeals and at the same time warns that our son, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) OFR, should not be subjected to further abuse and be allowed to complete his tenure unhindered”

The communique added, “The Benue State Chapter of the ACF has issued this communique because of the passionate interest it has in the survival and growth of the ACF as the foremost Northern Organisation. As a project stakeholder, we expect the Forum to provide maximum cooperation and support.

“Finally, the Benue State Chapter believes in the ACF as an organisation and will continue to contribute to its growth and sustenance”, it stated.

Recall that ACF had recently thrown into a leadership crisis as the police sealed the Forum’s national headquarters along Sokoto Road, Kaduna, to avoid breakdown of law and order.