The Benue State chapter of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned that the organisation belongs to all 19 northern states and must not be dominated by any group, while declaring support for its National Chairman, Chief Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN).
The state chapter described Osuman as a respected son of Benue State and urged stakeholders to resist what it called attempts to frustrate his leadership or shorten his tenure.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued by the Benue State chairman of the forum, Chief Silas Maclkpah, and secretary, Benjamin Agusah.
It expressed concern over what it described as repeated attempts to undermine the leadership of prominent Benue sons within the organisation, citing past experiences involving late Col. J. I. Ubah and late Chief Audu Ogbe.
According to the communiqué, such leaders were allegedly subjected to humiliation and pressure that forced them out of office, a pattern it warned against repeating.
“We are witnessing the same trend in the case of Chief Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN),” the statement read.
The chapter stressed that no individual or group should claim superior ownership of the forum, insisting that the ACF is a collective platform for all northern states.
“It should be noted that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) belongs to the nineteen (19) Northern States, Benue State inclusive. As such no individual or group of individuals should claim more ownership of the ACF than the other,” it stated.
The Benue chapter further urged restraint among stakeholders, calling for cooperation and internal stability to preserve the integrity of the organisation.
It also appealed for support for the current leadership, saying Osuman should be allowed to complete his tenure without interference.
“The Benue State chapter of the ACF appeals and at the same time warns that our son Chief Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) OFR should not be subjected to further abuse and be allowed to complete his tenure unhindered,” it added.
Reaffirming its commitment to the organisation, the chapter said it remained dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the ACF as a key northern socio-cultural body.
The development comes amid reported tensions within the forum’s leadership, including recent disruptions that led to the sealing of its national secretariat in Kaduna by security operatives to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
