…NEC passes no confidence vote in Dalhatu’s leadership
National Executive Committee of the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Wednesday, suspended the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, over violations of the umbrella Northern socio-political organisation’s constitution.
The decision followed an emergency NEC meeting held in Kaduna amid tension linked to reported police restriction of access to the ACF headquarters ahead of the gathering on Tuesday.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukor Muhammad-Baba, who addressed newsmen after an emergency meeting on Wednesday, said delegates from about 18 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory eventually met after relocating to an alternative venue within Kaduna due to the situation at the headquarters.
According to him, the NEC condemned the restriction of access to its premises, describing it as unlawful interference in the internal affairs of the forum and a violation of the right to association.
Muhammad-Baba stated that the NEC rejected claims of a leadership crisis within the ACF, attributing the situation instead to alleged misinterpretation of constitutional provisions and attempts by some individuals to usurp authority.
He said deliberations at the meeting focused on the report of an Ethics and Conduct Committee set up to investigate a petition on financial management and governance within the forum.
He said preliminary findings by the committee raised serious concerns, particularly regarding due process and financial administration, and warranted further investigation.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, the NEC passed a vote of no confidence in Dalhatu and approved his immediate suspension as Chairman of the Board of Trustees pending the outcome of investigations.
The forum further condemned the reported police barricade of its headquarters, describing it as unacceptable interference with its operations and constitutional rights.
