From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Arewa Consultative Forum, the apex northern socio-cultural group, has suspended Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, the chairman of its National Executive Council, following controversial remarks attributed to him regarding the 2027 presidency and the state of the North under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The suspension, announced on Thursday, comes barely 24 hours after Osuman criticised Tinubu’s economic policies, claiming they had exacerbated hardships in the northern region.
Speaking at a meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday, Osuman warned of dire consequences for the North if urgent steps were not taken to address insecurity, economic inequalities, and other regional challenges.
He described the North as “under siege” and called for collective action to ensure support for northern politicians committed to addressing these issues in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
However, in a swift response, the ACF’s Board of Trustees distanced itself from Osuman’s remarks, describing them as his personal opinion.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu (Wazirin Dutse), and Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu (Matawallen Gombe), the BoT announced Osuman’s immediate suspension.
“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,” the statement read.
The forum also disclosed the constitution of a committee to investigate Osuman’s actions and the implications of his remarks on the group’s mission of fostering unity and development in the North.
While the controversy has sparked debate within political circles, observers are keen to see how the suspension will impact the dynamics of northern politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
