ACF Crisis Deepens As Police Seal Headquarters

The chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mamman Mike Osuman, has said the police personnel maintained siege on the forum’s headquarters.

In a statement issued last night by ACF chairman, the forum called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to intervene promptly and decisively in the interest of justice, constitutional order, and public peace.

ACF said any perceived inaction may give rise to avoidable tensions and unfortunate consequences that could undermine public confidence and national stability.

The statement explained, “The National Executive Council (NEC) is a principal organ established under the Constitution of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).It is firmly within my constitutional prerogative as the chairman of the National
Executive Council (NEC) and indeed of the ACF, to convene meetings of both the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Council (NEC).

“This authority is expressly conferred on me by Section 13(1)(a) and (b) of the ACF Constitution, which provides as follows: Section 13(1)(a):
“The chairman shall have the following functions:
(a) To convene all meetings of the National Executive Council and the
Working Committee.

“Section 13(1)(b):To preside over and direct all meetings of the National Executive
Council and the Working Committee.
Pursuant to these provisions, I duly issued notice convening a meeting of the National Working Committee. To the consternation of members, this lawful directive was countermanded by Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees.”

ACF chairman noted, “ In response, I advised members using the same platform to disregard this unconstitutional interference and attend the scheduled meeting.I am pleased to note that members, in overwhelming numbers, responded to this call and attended the National Working Committee meeting held today, Tuesday.

“Regrettably, Bashir Dalhatu has escalated matters by issuing further threats
directed at members intending to attend the National Executive Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 6th May 2026. More troubling is the reported deployment of armed police personnel to cordon off the ACF premises, withmyself and other members effectively confined within.Additionally, it has been asserted that the proposed NEC meeting will not be allowed to hold.”

The statement added, “This development raises grave constitutional concerns. The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which provides: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with
other persons.

“The conduct of the police, as presently constituted, amounts to an unwarranted
and excessive interference with this fundamental right. It poses a serious threat not only to the safety of members but also to the rule of law.

“It is equally concerning that the office of the chairman of the Board of Trustees is being personalised in a manner inconsistent with the collective spirit and constitutional framework o f the ACF.

“Such actions suggest the pursuit of
personal objectives to which we, in the overriding interest of our region, our people, and the nation, must firmly object.

“Notwithstanding these developments, members of the ACF from across the Northern region and other parts of the country have arrived in Kaduna in preparation for the NEC meeting.They have expressed firm resolve to attend, despite the prevailing intimidation and security presence,” ACF explained.