The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is facing a deepening internal crisis following a dispute between its Board of Trustees (BOT) and Secretary-General, Murtala Aliyu, over the validity of his tenure.
The BOT, led by Chairman Bashir Dalhatu, insists that the tenure of several top officials—including Aliyu—expired on March 10, 2026, in line with the organisation’s constitutional provisions. However, Aliyu has rejected the claim, maintaining that he remains legitimately in office.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dalhatu dismissed reports suggesting a broader leadership breakdown, describing recent developments instead as efforts to uphold the ACF constitution on tenure limits and succession.
He explained that BOT members are allowed a single six-year term, while members of the National Executive Council serve three-year terms, renewable once. According to him, concerns about possible violations were raised earlier this year through a petition submitted by a group known as “Concerned Members,” which reportedly includes former Secretary-General Anthony Sani.
The issue was deliberated at a BOT meeting held on April 23, 2026, where it was concluded that officials who assumed office in March 2020 had completed their tenure. Those affected include Senator F. Orti, Ambassador Ibrahim Sule, Senator Ibrahim Ida, and Secretary-General Murtala Aliyu.
Dalhatu stated that these positions became vacant as of March 10, 2026, noting that while Aliyu was given until May 15 to complete handover arrangements, he has refused to step aside.
“In a surprising development, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, now in his seventh year as Secretary-General, has declined to accept the decision and continues to remain in office,” Dalhatu said.
He further revealed that attempts to resolve the dispute amicably—including a meeting of elders convened by Haliru Akilu and hosted by Mahmud Ahmed on April 21—failed to yield results.
Dalhatu also accused Aliyu of escalating tensions by calling an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee scheduled for May 6, allegedly aimed at overturning the BOT’s resolution.
Addressing allegations of financial misconduct, the BOT chairman maintained that all funds under the ACF Endowment Fund are intact and transparently managed. He added that oversight committees chaired by Hassan Adamu and former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed D. Abubakar have been put in place to ensure accountability through regular public reporting.
In response, Aliyu defended his position, insisting that his tenure remains valid based on due process and his re-election.
“I was appointed in March 2020, inaugurated in August 2020, re-elected in July 2023 and inaugurated again in December 2023. I have documents to support this,” he said.
He argued that his re-election effectively renewed his mandate, contradicting claims that his tenure had lapsed.
The ACF, a leading northern socio-political organisation, has long played a significant role in advocating regional interests and shaping national discourse. The current standoff highlights internal disagreements over constitutional interpretation—particularly whether re-election resets tenure or is subject to a fixed maximum duration.