The leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum ACF State Chapters notes with dismay the lingering crisis occasioned by the refusal of the erstwhile Secretary General, Mal. Murtala Aliyu, to vacate office after the expiration of his tenure since March 2026.
This situation has been further compounded by the support and aid rendered by the Chairman of the National Executive Council (NEC), who ought to have acted strictly in accordance with the constitutional provisions of the ACF.
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We are equally concerned that both individuals made attempts to cause division within the Forum, leading to the escalation of tensions and the sealing of the ACF Secretariat.
We note with serious concern how the NEC Chairman, who ought to remain neutral, has instead become a partaker in the crisis. Equally unfortunate is the role played by the National Publicity Secretary, who helped in orchestrating the crisis in the media rather than helping to calm the situation and douse tensions.
The leadership expresses appreciation to our elders whose early intervention sought to restore peace within the Forum.
However, we are constrained to address the current crisis following the expiration of the Secretary General’s tenure in March. At a conciliatory meeting of elders on Thursday, 9th April, the erstwhile Secretary General agreed to vacate office and requested 15th May for handover due to his son’s wedding. This was granted specifically for that purpose, not as an extension.
We regret that this agreement has since been reneged upon, with efforts to mobilize support from members not privy to the elders’ resolution. This has created avoidable tension and held the ACF to ransom.
*Constitutional Mandate*
We wish to remind the Forum that the ACF Constitution clearly mandates the participation of State Chapters Leadership in decision-making at all levels. By virtue of Section 16(2) and (5) of the ACF Constitution, members of the respective organs of the Forum shall be deemed to be members of their respective State Chapters. Any process that excludes the State Chapters Leadership therefore stands in breach of the constitution and cannot stand.
As a responsible body we will not stand by and allow the integrity of the ACF, an institution founded 25 years ago by our elders such as President Shehu Shagari, Abdulrahman Okene, Sule Katagum, Sultan of Sokoto, the Emir of Ilorin, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Magaji Danbatta, MD Yusuf, Olusola Saraki, and a host of others who came after them to be dragged to the mud by a few individuals on selfish grounds. We must do everything possible to restore the already damaged reputation of the Forum.
*Consequently, we resolve as follows:*
1. The erstwhile Secretary General, Mal. Murtala Aliyu, must immediately vacate office. We demand his immediate and unconditional exit from the office of the Secretary General and the handover of all functions, documents, and properties of the office to the appropriate authority. We no longer recognise him as an authentic Secretary General of ACF.
2. A vote of no confidence is passed on the Chairman of NEC, Mr Mike Osman SAN.
3. We demand an immediate forensic audit of all ACF finances, including the 25th Anniversary expenditure, Endowment Fund, and general accounts.
4. We call on all well-meaning members to step forward and safeguard the integrity of the ACF.
5. We call on the Board of Trustees to immediately convene a General Assembly in order to take steps that will restore normalcy to the Forum, because the ACF is an institution that must transcend individual interests.
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Signed:
1. Alh Yusuf Abdullahi Jubril, Kwara Chapter +234 909 292 6540
2. Alh. Bello Mahmoud Jigawa State Chapter Chairman, 0803 305 9656
3. Abbati Dankanti JGWSC
4. Alh Yahaya Bello Dan Makwayon Lafiya Nasarawa State Chapter Chairman
5. Dr. Hassan Zanna Boguma, Borno State Chapter Chairman
6. Dr Shettima A. Ali Borno State Chapter Secretary
7. Dr. Aminu Usman Jibrin Secretary Kano State Chapter
8. Dr. Faruk Goni, Chairman Kano State
9. Hamman Tukur Kawu Gassol, Taraba State
10. Hon Muhammad Habibu, Nasarawa State Chapter Sec.
11. Hussaini-obeito Lokoja Kogi State Chapter Chairman
12. Mustapha M Mai Adamawa State Chapter Chairman
13. Sani Aliyu Gusau Zamfara State Chapter Chairman
14. Dr. Hassan Aliyu Niger State Chapter Sec.
15. Shehu Malumfashi Katsina State Chapter Chairman
16. Bello Iro Dabai Katsina State Chapter Sec.
17. Tijjani Musa Makarfi Kaduna State Chapter Chairman
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18. Yinka Yusuf Kwara Chapter Sec.
19. Engr Mohammed AKABE GAMJI MEMBERS ASSOCIATION KADUNA +234 802 288 2718
20. DR ABDULLAHI BALLA ISSA GAMJI MEMBERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL PRESIDENT 234 803 383 3834