The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has debunked reports alleging a change in its leadership, describing the claim as false, unconstitutional and of no effect.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Prof. Tanko Muhammad Baba, said the purported leadership change did not emanate from any recognised organ of the organisation.
Muhammad Baba stated that the Chairman of ACF, Mike Mamman Mike Osuman, authorised the release to clarify the situation and reassure members, the media and the general public.
“The attention of the Forum has been drawn to an announcement of a change in its leadership. The news is totally false and the purported action is unconstitutional,” he said.
He emphasised that the leadership of the Forum neither authorised nor had knowledge of the alleged development, urging the public to disregard the announcement entirely.
The spokesman explained that, in line with the ACF Constitution, only the General Assembly has the authority to approve or effect leadership changes, noting that no such meeting had been convened.
He further clarified that the Board of Trustees (BOT) is limited to providing advisory roles on the Forum’s aims and objectives and does not possess the power to initiate or enforce leadership changes.
Muhammad Baba also dismissed claims surrounding the establishment of a Constitution Review Committee and a Leadership Selection Committee, describing them as unconstitutional and unknown to the Forum’s governing laws.
According to him, the Leadership Selection Committee is an ad hoc body constituted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and had completed its assignment in 2023, after which it was dissolved.
He added that any individual or group claiming to exercise authority on behalf of such committees was acting outside constitutional provisions and would not be recognised by the Forum.
The ACF spokesperson reiterated that only designated officers, including the National Publicity Secretary and his deputies or assistants, are authorised to issue official statements on behalf of the Forum.
He confirmed that Murtala Aliyu remains the Secretary General of the organisation pending the emergence of a successor through due process.
Muhammad Baba acknowledged that the Forum was aware of attempts by certain individuals to create the impression of a leadership crisis, but insisted that no such crisis existed.
“It is highly regrettable that the Forum is compelled to issue this clarification, which may create a false impression of internal discord. There is no leadership crisis in ACF,” he said.
He assured members and stakeholders that the leadership remained committed to safeguarding the integrity of the organisation and upholding its constitutional provisions.
The spokesman urged members to remain calm, law-abiding and await further official communication from the leadership.
