The Nigerian Medical Association has pushed back against reports of internal discord as it finalises arrangements for a major leadership transition slated for May in Kano.
More than 1,000 delegates representing medical practitioners nationwide are expected to participate in the association’s 66th Annual General Conference and Delegates Meeting, where new national officers will be elected. The gathering, beginning on May 3, will also debut a revised electoral process that introduces a delegates-based voting system.
Addressing concerns over alleged tensions within the association, its Secretary-General, Ben Egbo, maintained that there is no crisis, stressing that all steps leading to the election have followed established constitutional provisions.
“The NMA, under the leadership of its President, Bala Muhammad Audu, is expected to host over 1,000 accredited delegates drawn from its 37 state branches and eight affiliate bodies, making the gathering one of the largest in its history,” he said.
He added that beyond the elections, the conference will serve as a platform to examine pressing healthcare issues under the theme, “Bridging Research, Policy and Practice: Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System for Resilience and Equity.”
Egbo explained that the association’s leadership framework is guided by a zoning arrangement that rotates the presidency among the country’s seven geopolitical zones to ensure inclusiveness.
“The system is designed in such a way that the presidency rotates among the seven zones. I wish Nigeria could adopt that system—it would promote a lot of peace,” he said.
He noted that the current leadership team, including himself, emerged from the North-East zone in line with that structure.
“As it stands now, myself and the President are from the North-East. It is our turn,” he added.
The forthcoming election follows disagreements in some quarters, particularly over the disqualification of certain aspirants. However, Egbo defended the decisions, insisting they were based strictly on the association’s rules.
“When some individuals were disqualified, there was initial sympathy, but we are guided by rules and regulations—it is not a matter of sentiment,” he said.
He criticised attempts by aggrieved members to challenge the process outside laid-down procedures.
“You can imagine a situation where someone claims to have overthrown a government—does it happen that way? That is not how institutions operate,” Egbo stated.
He also cautioned against actions that could undermine the organisation’s stability.
“Must it get to this extent? If you cannot achieve your aim, must you destroy the system?”
Despite the disputes, he ruled out any possibility of a split within the association.
“The issue of balkanisation or factionalisation of the NMA does not arise in any way. I can assure you of that,” he said.
On logistics, the secretary-general said preparations in Kano are well advanced, with security agencies working with organisers to ensure a hitch-free event.
“We have no fear of any disruption in Kano, as we are in constant contact with security agencies,” he said.
According to him, over 700 delegates have already registered, with attendance projected to exceed 1,000.
“Kano is fully ready. The NMA has 37 state branches and eight registered affiliate bodies. Over 700 delegates have registered, and more are expected,” he added.
He also addressed reports suggesting that the association’s secretariat had been shut, describing them as false.
“The secretariat was fully operational, with staff working in preparation for the conference,” he clarified.
Egbo further urged journalists to verify information before publication, calling for balanced coverage of developments within the association.
“Whenever you hear such information, try to get the other side. We must ensure balanced reporting,” he said.
The conference remains the association’s highest decision-making forum, where policies are reviewed and leadership changes are formalised. This year’s edition is expected to stand out, not only for ushering in new leaders but also for introducing reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and participation within the body.
