Some influential leaders of the North have stepped in to resolve the crisis occasioned by the suspension of the Chairman of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), Daily Trust has reliably learnt.
This move was confirmed to Daily Trust yesterday by the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Ambassador Ibrahim Maisule, in an exclusive interview yesterday in Abuja.
Similarly, the Chairman of the newly formed Media and Publicity Committee of the ACF, Alhaji Nasiru Danu, confirmed the efforts during a visit to the Media Trust Group’s headquarters in Abuja.
The ACF NEC chairman was late last week suspended over statements he allegedly made, which were frowned upon by the BoT and some other members of the NEC of the body.
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In a letter jointly signed by ACF Secretary General Malam Murtala Aliyu and BoT Chairman Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Mr Osuman, was accused of making unauthorised remarks that suggested the North would back a northern presidential candidate in 2027.
The letter stated: “The attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to widely reported statements credited to Mr Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, Chairman, ACF National Executive Committee, which were made during the meeting of the NEC, held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at ACF Headquarters, Kaduna.
“In particular, Mr Osuman was quoted as saying that the North will back a northern candidate for the presidency come 2027. The statements were made by the NEC chairman without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF and thus reflected Mr Osuman’s personal opinion only.
“ACF rejects Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and that of its NEC has decided to place Mr Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect.”
However, Mr Osuman, who we learnt, alleged that he was unfairly treated, also faulted the procedure for his suspension.
Mr Osuman, Daily Trust learnt, had assembled a team of top lawyers as of the weekend, preparatory to his filing a suit challenging his suspension from his post.
Sources close to him said he had mobilised eight Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) with a view to challenging his suspension in court.
But sources close to the BoT and the NEC of the organisation informed our reporter that a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, had convened a meeting of top stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja, where they deliberated on the urgent need to address the dispute to avoid throwing the ACF into a bigger crisis.
The meeting, it was gathered, would continue on Saturday as more leaders in the region push for the crisis to be quickly nipped in the bud.
Ambassador Maisule expressed optimism about the reconciliation process, noting that elders in the region are fully committed to finding a solution.
“People make mistakes-after all, we are humans-but a mistake can never be justified as right. Therefore, a solution must be found.
“Discussing the details publicly now is unnecessary, as there is already a serious attempt to resolve the crisis. Those involved in these efforts are highly committed and capable. I trust in their ability to find a resolution, and I remain optimistic about the outcome.
“For me, the priority is not assigning blame but supporting the process to ensure we move forward. That is where my focus lies,” he told Daily Trust.
Alhaji Nasiru Danu echoed this sentiment, highlighting efforts by the BoT and NEC to restore unity within the organisation.
He also emphasised the Media and Publicity Committee’s role in rejuvenating the ACF with a renewed agenda.
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