The leadership crisis in the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has escalated after a faction warned banks and individuals against alleged interference with about N3.88 billion belonging to the northern socio-cultural group.
The warning was issued Tuesday in a statement by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohammad-Baba, following a meeting of the Forum’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Thursday.
According to Mohammad-Baba, the NEC expressed concern that the funds were still domiciled in a bank earning what he called a “paltry” interest rate of 8 per cent, while other institutions had offered up to 20 per cent.
“The NEC strongly warns financial institutions and individuals against misplaced cupidity, illegalities and improprieties in the management of any of its funds,” he stated.
He also stated that the Forum would pursue legal action against any institution or individual found to have mishandled its money.
The spokesperson insisted that the ACF’s NEC and National Working Committee (NWC) remain operational and committed to the group’s constitutional mandate of advancing Northern Nigeria’s interests.
He dismissed recent publications on the Forum’s leadership as false and misleading and faulted an advertorial in three national newspapers that claimed decisions were taken at an online meeting of state chairpersons and secretaries.
Accordingly, he noted that the ACF recognises only five organs: the Patrons, the General Assembly, the Board of Trustees, the NEC, and the NWC. No online meeting of state officials is provided for.
Mohammad-Baba said the NWC, at its June 19, 2026 meeting in Kaduna, reaffirmed Mr Mamman Mike Osuman and Mallam Murtala Aliyu as Chairman and Secretary-General of both the NEC and NWC. The meeting also resolved to refer members who violate the Forum’s Code of Conduct and Ethics to the disciplinary committee.
He alleged that many state chapters had distanced themselves from the purported online meeting and that an estate management firm with no known affiliation to the ACF sponsored the advertorial.
He further challenged the inauguration of an endowment fund management committee by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, saying only the NEC has the power to set up such committees.
He noted that Dalhatu has been suspended since May 6, 2026, over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office during his tenure as BoT Chairman and has not appeared before the Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee.
The statement added that some persons listed on the purported committee are not bona fide ACF members.
However, Mallam Burka Zarma, an official of the opposing faction, rejected Mohammad-Baba’s claims in a response and accused the spokesperson of questioning the membership of Northerners involved in the Forum.
Zarma said that when Mohammad-Baba was nominated as National Publicity Secretary about two years ago, some members objected because he was not an active member.
He said the committee approved the appointment because the ACF Consrec recognises the partner who registers the organisation.
“That’s the reason why you are today, an erstwhile ‘non-member’, a member of ACF and its Publicity Secretary,” Zarma stated.
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