*As Affected Doctors Warn Of Crisis Before AGM
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The Nigerian Medical Association has defended the disqualification of six candidates from its forthcoming national elections, insisting the process was conducted in line with its constitution and without bias, even as one of the affected aspirants warned that the decision could trigger a crisis within the association if not reversed before the Annual General Meeting now less than three weeks away.
The NMA’s response came after Sodipo Oluwajimi, one of the disqualified candidates, publicly alleged that the six aspirants were unlawfully excluded despite meeting all constitutional requirements an allegation the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Mannir Bature, flatly denied.
The affected aspirants are seeking various national offices within the NMA. They include Enang Egbe, a professor at the University of Calabar, contesting for the position of president; Muhammad Isah, contesting for first vice president; Omokhua Harrison, contesting for secretary; Elijah Gargah, contesting for deputy secretary; Muhammadu Abubakar, contesting for treasurer; and Oluwajimi himself, a consultant family physician and former chairman of the Medical Guild in Lagos, who is seeking the position of publicity secretary.
The disqualification of a presidential aspirant alongside candidates for five other national positions has raised concerns about the breadth of the exclusions and whether they reflect systemic issues within the NMA’s electoral process.
Oluwajimi alleged that the six candidates had submitted duly signed nomination forms with valid proposers and seconders, alongside evidence of prior membership of the NMA’s National Executive Council — the requirements stipulated by the association’s constitution.
He described the disqualifications as unlawful and warned that the development could trigger a crisis within the association, particularly with the AGM — where the elections are scheduled to take place — less than three weeks away.
The warning carries weight given that the NMA, as the umbrella body for medical doctors in Nigeria, plays a critical role in healthcare advocacy, professional regulation, and engagement with government on health policies. Internal instability within the association could affect its ability to fulfil these functions during a period of significant challenges in Nigeria’s health sector.
Responding to the allegations, NMA National Publicity Secretary Mannir Bature told reporters that the association’s election process is strictly guided by its constitution and clearly defined guidelines that were given to all candidates.
“The vetting of candidates’ applications was conducted openly, and those with incomplete application documents could not be processed for further screening,” Bature stated.
He was categorical that the affected candidates did not meet constitutional requirements.
“Absolutely. The application of the disqualified candidates did not meet the constitutional requirements,” Bature stated.
The NMA spokesman also dismissed allegations of bias or unlawful conduct.
“There is no evidence to substantiate the allegations of bias, and all the processes so far are within the confines of the Constitution,” Bature added.
He noted that the association would follow due process to review its decision, stating that all petitions would be treated in accordance with the constitution and based on merit.
The presidential aspirant’s case has attracted particular attention. Professor Enang Egbe of the University of Calabar had earlier drawn scrutiny when his disqualification was first reported in March.
Critics described the move as unconstitutional and a threat to due process, raising questions about transparency and the rule of law within the NMA. According to reports, Egbe was not informed of any deficiencies in his nomination, nor was he given the opportunity for clarification or a fair hearing.
He had reportedly fulfilled all constitutional requirements, including obtaining the necessary endorsements and submitting his forms within the designated timeline, yet was still disqualified a sequence that his supporters argue violates basic principles of procedural fairness.
The NMA has not publicly addressed the specific circumstances of Egbe’s disqualification beyond the general statement that all disqualified candidates failed to meet constitutional requirements.
The NMA’s electoral controversy bears striking parallels with the ongoing crisis within the Nigerian Bar Association, where allegations of bias in the electoral process, exclusion of aspirants, and questions about the independence of the electoral committee have generated months of litigation and public controversy.
Both professional bodies — the NMA representing doctors and the NBA representing lawyers are grappling with internal democratic challenges that test the ability of self-governing professional associations to conduct transparent, fair, and credible elections.
With the AGM less than three weeks away, the affected aspirants face a narrow window to challenge the disqualifications through the NMA’s internal mechanisms or through the courts.
The NMA’s commitment to treating petitions “in accordance with the Constitution and based on merit” suggests there may be an internal review process available to the disqualified candidates. However, whether this process can be completed and any reversals implemented before the AGM remains uncertain.
If the disqualifications stand and the elections proceed without the six candidates, the results could face post-election challenges that would create leadership uncertainty within the association at a time when the Nigerian health sector requires strong and unified professional advocacy.
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