The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is facing a major leadership crisis following the suspension of its National President, Dr. Bala Audu, during an Emergency Delegates Meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday. The decision has intensified internal tensions within the country’s foremost professional medical body as it heads toward its annual elections.

According to reports, 63 delegates from 23 state branches and the Federal Capital Territory attended the emergency meeting, where key resolutions were reached, including the suspension of the president and the establishment of a caretaker committee to oversee the association’s affairs.

APC Postpones Presidential, Governorship Primaries

The dispute stems from disagreements over the disqualification of six candidates from the association’s upcoming national elections. The National Officers Committee, led by Dr. Bala Audu, had earlier barred the candidates on the grounds of incomplete documentation, a move that sparked widespread criticism among delegates.

At the emergency meeting, several delegates argued that the disqualification contradicted established electoral procedures within the association. Following deliberations, they voted to overturn the decision, thereby reinstating the affected candidates into the race.

In a further escalation, the delegates moved to suspend Dr. Audu, accusing him of alleged violations of the association’s constitution. The decision was immediately followed by the creation of a caretaker committee tasked with managing the association’s affairs until fresh elections are conducted.

However, the Audu-led National Officers Committee swiftly rejected both the suspension and the resolutions of the emergency meeting, describing the process as “unconstitutional and procedurally flawed.” The committee insisted that proper procedures were not followed in convening the meeting, thereby questioning its legitimacy.

The internal conflict has effectively divided the association into opposing factions, each standing firm on its interpretation of the NMA constitution. The situation has raised concerns about governance stability within the organization ahead of its Annual Delegates Meeting.

The association’s Secretary-General, Dr. Ben Egbo, responded to the crisis by stating that the resolutions from the emergency meeting would be reviewed in accordance with the constitution of the association. He emphasized that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken where necessary, reinforcing the leadership’s commitment to due process.

Egbo also confirmed that the Annual Delegates Meeting will proceed as scheduled next week in Kano, where elections are expected to take place between April 27 and May 3. He added that while one presidential candidate’s disqualification had been reviewed, it was ultimately upheld, with no reversal granted.

Meanwhile, the leadership dismissed the caretaker committee established by the delegates, insisting that such an arrangement lacks constitutional backing. According to them, only decisions taken within the framework of the association’s governing rules will be recognized.

As both sides maintain firm positions, concerns are growing within the medical community over the credibility and smooth conduct of the upcoming elections. Observers warn that unless the dispute is resolved swiftly, it could further deepen divisions within the association and affect its leadership transition process.

The unfolding crisis now places the Nigerian Medical Association at a critical crossroads as it attempts to navigate internal disagreements while preparing for one of its most important national meetings of the year.