The Nigerian Medical Association on Wednesday suspended its national president, Bala Audu, over alleged breaches of its constitution.
The decision was taken at an emergency delegates’ meeting in Abuja, attended by 63 members, including chairmen and secretaries from 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Some members expressed concern that the Audu-led administration disqualified six aspirants from contesting for national offices at the forthcoming annual general meeting in Kano, scheduled for April 27 to May 3.
The affected candidates were reportedly disqualified by the National Officers Committee due to incomplete documentation.
Delegates at the meeting constituted a caretaker committee, led by Ekpe Phillips, to oversee the association’s affairs pending the election and any further review processes.
The meeting also recommended that the issues surrounding the disqualifications be examined through appropriate internal mechanisms, in line with the association’s rules.
Delegates resolved to allow the previously disqualified aspirants to participate in the election, following a vote moderated by Omotayo Adetunji and Fernandez Akinnagbe.
Emeka Ayogu, chairman of NMA-FCT, supported the resolutions, stating that members opted for the meeting after earlier attempts at dialogue did not yield results.
“We want an association that remains united and focused on members’ welfare,” Mr Ayogu said.
Umezurike Ikechukwu, a former deputy secretary-general, also expressed concern over the situation and urged all parties to prioritise stability.
“The association has maintained orderly transitions over the years, and it is important to preserve that tradition,” he said.
The crisis in the association centres on disagreements over the handling of its forthcoming national elections. The dispute followed the NOC’s disqualification of six aspirants over alleged documentation issues, a decision that drew concern from some members.
Some affected members and their supporters argued that due process might not have been fully followed, raising questions about transparency and adherence to the association’s constitution.
After attempts at internal resolution failed to yield a consensus, delegates convened the EDM, where the issues were reviewed, and key decisions were taken on leadership and the election process.
Article 8, Section 2(2b) of the NMA constitution empowers delegates at an Emergency Delegates Meeting to form a quorum and take decisions.
Article 16 of the constitution also empowers the EDM to sanction any officer found wanting, in line with the association’s rules.
Mr Audu could not be immediately reached for comment.
(NAN)
