by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
In a dramatic outburst, the National Executive Council (NEC) Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mamman Mike Osuma, SAN, has openly decried that the Forum’s National Headquarters, located at Sokoto Road in Kaduna, is under siege.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen early morning of Wednesday, the NEC chairman expressed displeasure over the siege, insisting that NEC remains the principal organ established under the Constitution of the ACF.
The statement, addressed to all members of the NEC, emphasized that, “The National Executive Council (NEC) is a principal organ established under the Constitution of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).”
NEC chairman also argued that, “It is firmly within my constitutional prerogative as the Chairman of the National Executive Council (NEC) and, indeed of the ACF, to convene meetings of both the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Council (NEC).”
He also queried thus: “This authority is expressly conferred on me by Section 13(1)(a) and (b) of the ACF Constitution, which provides, amongst other things, including Section 13(1Xa): ‘The Chairman shall have the following functions: (a) To convene all meetings of the National Executive Council and the Working Committee.’”
According to the chairman, some of his powers were served, from Section 13(1) (b): ‘To preside over and direct all meetings of the National Executive Council and the Working Committee.’
The statement reads: “Pursuant to these provisions, I duly issued notice convening a meeting of the National Working Committee. To the consternation of members, this lawful directive was countermanded by Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
“In response, I advised members using the same platform to disregard this unconstitutional interference and attend the scheduled meeting.
“I am pleased to note that members, in overwhelming numbers, responded to this call and attended the National Working Committee meeting held today, Tuesday, 5th May 2026,” he stated.
Recalled that the crises has led the suspension of Board of Trustees of the forum, earlier on Wednesday, at the NEC meeting held outside the headquarters, and presided over by its chairman.