ACF BoT to meet Nov. 23 amid leadership crisis

Amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Board of Trustees (BoT) is scheduled to convene on November 23, 2026, in Abuja. This meeting aims to address the discord between two factions: one led by ACF Chairman, Chief Mike Osuman, and the other by BoT Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu. Efforts to reconcile the factions have been underway, with prominent traditional rulers and NEC members meeting with first-class traditional rulers at the Sultan of Sokoto's residence in Abuja.

Despite the Sultan's absence, notable attendees included Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Manu Ishaku Adda Ali. The November 23 meeting is set to take place in Abuja, following a failed attempt at the organization's secretariat in Kaduna, where staff were absent and offices were sealed by the police. The crisis began in May 2026 when the NEC suspended Dalhatu over alleged financial and administrative misconduct, following a vote of no confidence and a referral to the disciplinary committee.

Despite the suspension, the BoT rejected it as unconstitutional, leading to further tension over the position of Secretary-General. Dalhatu reportedly requested Murtala Aliyu to resign, while Aliyu insisted on completing his term that ends in December 2026.