By Julius Eze
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dismissed reports suggesting internal divisions within its ranks, insisting that there is no factional leadership in the body and warning against what it described as impostors attempting to disrupt its constitutional order.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the association’s Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, said the NMA remains united under its recognised leadership and accused a small group of doctors of trying to create confusion ahead of its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
“There is no faction in the NMA,” Egbo said. “What we have are a group of individuals who have refused to abide by constitutional provisions and are resorting to self-help to cause disruption.”
At the centre of the dispute is what the association described as an “unauthorised AGM” allegedly convened by a group of 54 doctors. Egbo questioned the legitimacy of the gathering, noting that the association represents over 50,000 medical practitioners nationwide.
“How can 54 individuals overturn decisions reached by over 50,000 doctors at a duly constituted AGM?” he asked, referring to the association’s last meeting held in Calabar on May 11, 2026.
According to him, the group had initially requested an emergency delegates’ meeting but failed to meet constitutional requirements before proceeding to hold what he called a parallel meeting.
Egbo linked the tensions to the disqualification of six candidates in the forthcoming elections, explaining that they failed to complete mandatory nomination procedures. He insisted the screening process was transparent and based strictly on established rules.
“Out of 20 candidates, six failed to properly complete their forms. Even a sitting member of the National Officers’ Committee was disqualified. Where, then, is the bias?” he said.
He added that in the presidential race, only one aspirant failed to meet the required criteria, rejecting allegations of targeted exclusion.
The NMA leadership also disclosed that the matter had been reported to security agencies, describing the actions of the breakaway group as disruptive and unlawful.
Egbo further denied claims that the association’s secretariat was shut down, explaining that security operatives were deployed to prevent unauthorised access following an alleged attempt to force entry.
“They came with thugs to cause mayhem. We instructed security personnel to deny them access. The secretariat was never shut down,” he said, adding that CCTV footage supports the account.
Reaffirming the position of the current leadership under Professor Bala Audu, the association assured members that all scheduled activities, including the upcoming AGM and elections, would proceed as planned.
Egbo also called on the Nigeria Police Force to continue maintaining order and urged the media to verify information before publication, warning that misinformation could undermine the association’s credibility.
He further cautioned individuals and groups against recognising what he termed an “illegitimate structure,” stressing that the NMA has only one recognised leadership.
“We are calm, focused, and committed to due process. The NMA remains one and indivisible,” he said.
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