The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is embroiled in a leadership tussle and alleged financial impropriety, Daily Trust reports.
The leadership crisis, which has, to a greater extent, divided the Forum into two, revolves around the roles of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and that of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in respect of the day-to-day running of the organisation.
On one hand, the Chairman of the BoT, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, with the support of others like General Haliru Akilu (rtd), among others, has asked some members of the BoT and NEC, whose tenures have reportedly elapsed, to leave their offices.
On the other hand, the Secretary General of the organisation, Malam Murtala Aliyu, who is one of those asked to leave, said his tenure will end in December, not now.
He reportedly has the support of some members, including the Chairman of the NEC, Barrister Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN; the spokesman, Professor Tukur Baba, among others.
Established in the year 2000, the ACF, a socio-cultural organisation which draws its membership from the 19 northern states, seeks to protect the interests of Northern Nigeria.
Among others, its mission is to promote unity, peace and socio-economic development across the North, while advocating for the region’s political and security interests within the Nigerian federation. The Forum also serves as a platform for dialogue among northern leaders.
Even though the disagreement in the group over the roles of its organs had been brewing for some time, the crack became more visible shortly after the 25th anniversary of the ACF.
Credible sources within the ACF told the Daily Trust that the lodgement of about N3.9 billion donated to the organisation in a new account at JAIZ Bank, rather than in any of the main accounts of the organisation in First Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Unity Bank, has caused disaffection among members.
Recall that there was an endowment fund during the 25th anniversary celebration of the ACF held in November 2025, during which some notable northern leaders and businessmen donated over N3.9 billion, in addition to pledges that are yet to be redeemed.
Besides, there was also nearly N700 million donated by some northern leaders in order to organise the 25th anniversary. Details of how the funds were utilised are being questioned.
Daily Trust reports that, in a statement he issued on Friday, May 1, General Akilu, who is also a member of the BoT and chairman of the leadership selection committee of the ACF, said they had submitted recommendations regarding the expiration of the tenure of some senior officials and the filling of the resulting vacancies.
He said in a memo dated April 23, 2026, the BoT had stated that members had deliberated on the tenure of certain officials of the Forum.
General Akilu said that after the meeting, it was resolved that, in line with the ACF Constitution, BoT leaders should serve a single tenure of six years, while NEC leaders should serve for three years, renewable for another three years.
He said the tenure of the officials who assumed office on March 10, 2020, and completed their six-year term on March 10, 2026, had expired.
Those affected, according to him, include the Deputy Chairman of the BoT, Senator Fred Orti from Benue State; the Vice Chairman of the BoT, Amb. Ibrahim Mai Sule from Yobe State; the Deputy Chairman of the NEC and Wazirin Katsina, Sen. Ibrahim Ida; and the Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu.
According to General Akilu, “The committee noted that these positions have now become vacant. Mallam Murtala Aliyu has been given until Friday, May 15, 2026, to complete his handover notes and other departure formalities.”
He said the selection committee took some steps, including creating a database of potential candidates for the four vacant positions.
He said, “With the exception of the secretary general position, the selection and appointment into the other three positions have been postponed pending the conclusion of the ongoing review of the ACF Constitution.”
According to General Akilu, “In the interim, an acting secretary general has been appointed to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the Forum. Mallam Bukar Zarma was appointed to serve as acting secretary general. His appointment will cease upon the appointment of a substantive Secretary General.”
But when asked why he was singled out to leave ahead of others, Murtala Aliyu said the tenure of the secretary general is not a straight six-year term like that of BoT members.
He also questioned the channel of communication used to ask him to hand over his responsibilities, saying it ought to have come either from the Chairman of the NEC, Barrister Osuman, SAN, or the spokesman of the ACF, Professor Tukur Baba, and not General Akilu.
He said members of the Board of Trustees have one six-year term, while members of the NEC, who should serve for three years, have the opportunity to do another three years.
Murtala said after they completed their first three years as NEC members, he and the Deputy Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Ida, were re-elected for another three years.
One of our correspondents reached out to General Akilu to know why he released the statement, but he did not pick his call.
But in a response to a text message, he said: “Please, speak to Malam Bukar Zarma, the acting secretary general of ACF.”
And when contacted, the BoT Chairman, Dalhatu, asked our correspondent whether he had the ACF Constitution, and he answered in the affirmative.
He had yet to call back as of the time of filing this report.
However, in a statement he released last night, Dalhatu dismissed the planned NEC meeting in Kaduna.
Recall that on the 23rd of April, 2026, the ACF leadership selection committee presided over by General Haliru Akilu, met and took many critical decisions including the appointment of an acting ACF secretary general.
