By Abubakar Yunusa
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday in Abuja suspended Prof
Bala Audu, its National President and the leader of the association National Officers Committee (NOC) for violating and disregarding the association constitution.
According to NAN,the suspension was handed down at the association Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) which had in attendance 63 members, including Chairmen and Secretaries from 23 states of the Federation, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Members had accused Audu led administration of disqualifying six members of the association from contesting various post in the association national election scheduled to hold at NMA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kano between April 27 and May 3.
A caretaker committee led by Dr Ekpe Phillips, a former Secretary General of the association was constituted during the meeting to run the affairs of the association, until after election, and to ensure that Audu led NOC face disciplinary committee, and sanctioned if found guilty.
Members had unanimously voted for the reversal of the six disqualified candidates, in the voting which was moderated by Dr Omotayo Adetunji, and Dr Fernandez Akinnagbe, who were nominated as Chairman and Secretary of before commencement of EDM.
Members equally voted that the disqualified candidates should be allowed to contest their various position in the association election, saying that Audu led NOC acted illegally by disqualifying these people.
“The disqualified candidates were duly nominated for the position they want from their various states. They submitted their forms, only for some officers among the NOC to come out with a release that some candidates were disqualified.
“The NOC claimed that there are some irregularities with these candidates application, and that they submitted incomplete document, this position is alien to NMA, the excuse used on these candidates is alien to us.
“We have tried all what we could to resolved and address this matter peacefully before this EDM but all to no avail. The NOC adamantly refused, we then took this matter up collected signatures from 105 members for this EDM which cover two-thirds of the state branches.
“We have taken our stance because what Audu did is a violation of NMA constitution,” he said.
Dr Emeka Ayogu, Chairman, NMA-FCT, also supported the decision taken at the EDM, saying that members had no option than to take such decision since they had try to broker peace before the EDM but all did not work out.
According to him, the level of impunity, arrogance demonstrated by Audu led NOC was uncalled, and that some of them don’t want NMA to be scattered hence the reason for the EDM.
“We want NMA that will remain united, we want NMA that will talk about therights and welfare of members, therefore, we have no choice than to ask Audu led NOCto pack their load and go, theyhave caused a lot of injuries to members.
“Members are ready for anything that may come up after this meeting been it legal action or the other way round, we are ready for anything,” Ayogu said.
Dr Umezurike Ikechukwu, a former Deputy Secretary General also condemned the Audu led administration saying he had failed woefully by not listening appeal of the people concerning the disqualified candidates.
Ikechukwu wonder why Audu is trying to make his transition to another regime difficult, stressing that this was not the way he met the association before securing power.
“I don’t know what Audu intention is. This isreally, really annoying.And it is very unpleasant to the bodyof the NMA, there has been peace inNMA all these years.There have been peaceful transition all these years, whynow, must we go this way?
“This idea of Bala Audu is gearing towards disruption of the association.Must we go this path that tends to drag the NMA to mud,whatever action that needs to be takento stop this ugly trend should be taken.
