The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dismissed reports alleging a change in its leadership, describing the claim as false, unconstitutional and unauthorised.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, ACF said it had become aware of an announcement suggesting a leadership change, insisting that no such decision was taken by any recognised authority within the organisation.
The statement, authorised by the chairman of the ACF, Mr. Mike Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, said the clarification was necessary to correct misinformation and reassure members of the Forum, the media and the general public.
“The leadership of the Forum has neither authorised, knows about nor communicated on the purported change. The announcement should therefore be treated as null, void and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement read.
The forum explained that the approval of leaders is vested in its General Assembly, which has not yet been convened for the purpose of filling any vacancy.
It further noted that, “Section 8(6) of the ACF Constitution empowers the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Forum to give general advice and direction on matters relating to the aims and objectives,” adding that the BoT does not have the authority to effect leadership change.
The ACF also clarified that operational committees can only be constituted by the National Executive Council (NEC) in line with section 14 of its constitution.
“The purported set up of a Constitution Review is unconstitutional,” the forum said, stressing that any committee created outside constitutional provisions is invalid.
On the leadership selection committee, the ACF stated that it is not a permanent constitutional body but an ad hoc committee of the NEC created to vet and make recommendations for consideration by the NEC and onward transmission to the General Assembly for approval.
