Leaders of the Arewa (northern) community in Lagos State have dismissed reports of the suspension of their chairman, Alhaji Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare-Gulma, reaffirming him as the legitimate leader and urging members to remain united.
The position was reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos to address the controversy surrounding the alleged suspension.
The leader of the Fulani community in the state, Alhaji Mohammad Abubarkar-Bambado II, declared the suspension claim invalid and called for an end to internal discord.
“I hereby quash the rumoured suspension of our chairman, Sa’adu Yusuf Dandare-Gulma, and direct everyone to support him. There should be no more rancour,” he said.
Also speaking, Mai Kano Lawal, Director of the Arewa Community Support Group 2023, described the purported suspension as baseless, insisting that Dandare-Gulma remains firmly in charge.
Alhaji Ibraheem Haruna, Arewa Apex Leader (West 2) and a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), stressed the need for due process in handling internal matters. He noted that the board was unaware of any decision to suspend the chairman.
“If there is any issue, the BoT must be informed and will decide. We are not aware of any letter suspending the chairman,” Haruna said, adding that only the board has the authority to discipline or suspend the chairman if necessary.
He further disclosed that those behind the suspension letter had been instructed to withdraw it, with another meeting scheduled to resolve outstanding issues.
Haruna emphasised adherence to constitutional procedures, warning that any action taken outside due process would not stand.
The Arewa Community, which represents northern Nigerians residing in Lagos, plays a significant role in grassroots mobilisation within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Recent internal tensions had sparked protests by some aggrieved members at the Lagos APC secretariat.
Reacting to the development, Dandare-Gulma maintained that he remains chairman until the expiration of his tenure.
“The major resolution is to maintain the status quo. The suspension is null and void; there is nothing like suspension,” he said.
He added that stakeholders had agreed to put aside differences and focus on unity, with plans to conduct elections at the end of his tenure.