The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has suspended its National President, Prof. Bala Audu, over alleged breaches of the association’s constitution, deepening tensions ahead of its forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
The decision was reached at an Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) held in Abuja, with 63 participants in attendance, including state chairmen and secretaries from 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Central to the dispute was the disqualification of six aspirants from contesting national offices at the NMA’s AGM scheduled to take place in Kano from April 27 to May 3. The affected aspirants were reportedly screened out by the National Officers Committee (NOC) over alleged incomplete documentation.
At the meeting, delegates expressed dissatisfaction with the process, questioning the basis for the disqualifications and calling for strict adherence to the association’s guidelines.
“The candidates were duly nominated and submitted their forms, but were later informed of their disqualification by the NOC,” a member at the meeting said.
“Concerns were raised about the basis for the decision, and members called for clarity and adherence to established procedures.
“Efforts were made to resolve the matter before the EDM, including consultations and a petition supported by over 100 members.”
Following deliberations, the delegates constituted a caretaker committee headed by Dr Ekpe Phillips to manage the affairs of the association pending the conduct of elections and further review of the issues.
In addition, the meeting resolved to reinstate the disqualified aspirants, allowing them to participate in the forthcoming elections after a vote supervised by Dr Omotayo Adetunji and Dr Fernandez Akinnagbe.
Chairman of NMA-FCT, Dr Emeka Ayogu, backed the outcome of the meeting, noting that delegates resorted to the emergency session after earlier efforts to resolve the dispute failed.
“We want an association that remains united and focused on members’ welfare,” Ayogu said.
Also speaking, former Deputy Secretary-General of the association, Dr Umezurike Ikechukwu, urged stakeholders to prioritise unity and stability.
“The association has maintained orderly transitions over the years, and it is important to preserve that tradition,” he said.
The crisis within the NMA stems from disagreements over the conduct of its national elections, particularly the screening process that led to the exclusion of some aspirants.
Supporters of the affected candidates have argued that due process may not have been followed, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with the association’s constitution.
The Emergency Delegates Meeting was convened after internal consultations failed to resolve the impasse, leading members to review the situation and take decisive actions regarding leadership and the electoral process.
Relevant provisions of the NMA constitution back the decisions taken at the meeting. Article 8, Section 2(2b) empowers delegates at an EDM to form a quorum and make binding decisions, while Article 16 provides for the sanctioning of any officer found culpable in line with the association’s rules.
