A bitter dispute has gripped Nigeria's Arewa Consultative Forum as rival leadership camps traded accusations over the weekend. The Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee remain locked in a power struggle.
At the heart of the conflict is a clash over authority and finances. One side claims the other has overstepped its constitutional limits.
Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu chairs the Board of Trustees. He held several ministerial posts under past regimes, including Transport and Aviation in 1993.
Barrister Mamman Mike Osuman leads the National Executive Committee. The lawyer previously served as Attorney General of Benue State.
On May 6, the NEC met in Kaduna after police locked the ACF headquarters. The committee voted to suspend Dalhatu from office.
The move followed weeks of tension between the two groups. Officials had clashed over who has final say on forum matters.
Professor Tukur Baba speaks for the NEC. According to him, Dalhatu exceeded his authority in multiple ways.
The committee accused him of interfering in other organs' work. He also cancelled an approved meeting without legal justification, they said.
Money troubles deepened the rift considerably. Questions arose about how the forum's endowment fund was being managed.
The ACF raised over N3.9 billion for its 25th anniversary endowment. Dalhatu placed the funds in a Jaiz Bank account.
The NEC objected to his role as a signatory. Members called the arrangement inconsistent with proper governance.
Dalhatu noted the NEC ordered a forensic audit of all records. The committee wants to trace whether money was misused.
He denies any impropriety whatsoever. According to him, every procedure followed proper protocol.
The BoT chairman argued the funds needed separate safekeeping. Placing them in a new account protected the endowment, he explained.
Dalhatu rejected the NEC's authority to suspend him. He contended the committee lacks power to remove him from office.
He defended his decision on the Secretary-General as well. The order for Malam Murtala Aliyu to step down wasn't arbitrary, he insisted.
Other officials caught up in the dispute include Senator Fred Orti. The Benue politician serves as Deputy Chairman of the Board.
Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule also faces questions. The Yobe chief holds the Vice Chairman position.
Senator Ibrahim Ida, the Deputy NEC Chairman, remains embroiled too. He also bears the Wazirin Katsina chieftaincy title.
On April 19, the BoT released a communiqué detailing its plans. Two committees would manage the endowment fund going forward.
Ambassador Hassan Adamu would chair the advisory committee. The Adamawa traditional ruler now oversees fund stewardship.
Several prominent Nigerians sit on the panel as members. Names include General Mohammad Magoro and retired General Theophilus Buratai.
Engineer Babachir Lawal also joined the committee. Former Secretary to the Government Boss Mustapha took a seat as well.
Brigadier Usman Kukasheka serves as secretary. According to the communiqué, all endowment monies remain intact.
Yet the standoff shows no signs of ending soon. Observers worry the ACF's leadership crisis could worsen.
