Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is grappling with rising internal tensions following allegations of interference in its forthcoming presidential election, with concerns mounting over the credibility of the process.
The controversy was brought to the fore on Thursday in Calabar by Cross River State NMA Chairman, Ezoke Epoke, who warned that the situation could trigger unrest within the association if not urgently addressed.
At the centre of the dispute is the disqualification of a presidential aspirant, Ofem Enang, a former NMA vice-president and state chairman.
His exclusion from the race has stirred reactions among members nationwide, ahead of the association’s delegates’ meeting scheduled to hold in Kano from April 26 to May 3, 2026.
Epoke described the decision as unconstitutional, arguing that the NMA constitution clearly outlines eligibility criteria and does not grant the national officers’ committee powers to disqualify candidates.
“This development has heightened tensions across branches, with many doctors alleging attempts to impose a preferred candidate, thereby undermining due process and weakening institutional integrity,” he said.
He added that administrative requirements such as submission of multiple curriculum vitae or passport photographs should not override constitutional provisions guiding eligibility, warning that the controversy risks eroding trust in the association’s democratic processes.
Epoke further called on past presidents and senior members of the profession to intervene and salvage the situation, cautioning that failure to do so could divide the association along sectional lines.
Also reacting, Enang described his disqualification as arbitrary and driven by vested interests opposed to a transparent contest.
He maintained that his nomination was properly submitted and acknowledged before he was later listed among disqualified candidates over alleged incomplete documentation.
“In the light of this, I demand immediate reversal of this unconstitutional action and my reinstatement as a duly nominated candidate,” he said.
He warned that aggrieved parties might explore legal avenues if internal mechanisms fail to resolve the dispute, adding that the presidency had been zoned to the South-South and that his exclusion could disenfranchise the region.
However, NMA President, Bala Audu, defended the electoral process, stating that all disqualified aspirants failed to meet constitutional requirements, including possession of valid practising licences and complete documentation.
He clarified that while the electoral committee oversees the conduct of elections, the secretariat is responsible for processing submissions, stressing that any allegations of wrongdoing must be backed with evidence.
The unfolding dispute comes at a time when the association is already contending with broader challenges in the health sector, including brain drain, industrial actions, and policy inconsistencies—issues observers say could further strain its unity and influence.
