BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended its Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, over allegations of financial misconduct and ordered a forensic audit of its accounts.
The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the NEC held on Wednesday in Kaduna, which also addressed what the forum described as governance and constitutional concerns within its leadership structure.
The NEC further directed a comprehensive review of the forum’s financial activities, including its endowment fund, amid rising concerns over accountability and internal administrative procedures.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force had earlier barricaded the forum’s secretariat along Sokoto Road, Kaduna, preventing access to the venue of the scheduled NEC meeting.
He said members and staff who arrived for the meeting were turned back, forcing the leadership to relocate the session to another venue within the state capital.
The forum described the action as a siege and expressed concern over what it called interference in lawful organisational activities.
The NEC said despite the disruption it successfully held its emergency meeting and dismissed suggestions of a leadership crisis within the forum.
“The National Executive Committee has passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, and he is hereby suspended as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum”.
He, however, acknowledged that differences persisted over constitutional interpretation and the roles of various organs within the organisation.
Explaining the basis for the decision, Chairman of the ACF Ethics and Conduct Committee, Prof. Nuhu Mohammad Jamo, said the panel acted on a petition alleging financial and administrative misconduct against the BoT chairman.
He said the committee invited the affected official to respond to the allegations within 48 hours but did not receive any response.
“Regrettably, most of our findings, if not all, indicate violations of the constitutional provisions of the ACF.”
He further explained that the suspension was recommended to allow for a proper investigation rather than as a punitive measure.
ACF however, reaffirmed its commitment to unity, stability, and continued engagement on national security and socio-economic challenges.
