Turbulent times ahead for NMA as presidential hopeful is barred from running

The Nigerian Medical Association is on the brink of an internal crisis, sparked by claims that powerful forces within the National Officers' Committee are interfering with its presidential election, according to Dr Ezoke Epoke, Chairman of the association in Cross River.

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Epoke's concerns about the election's credibility were voiced during a Thursday interaction with journalists in Calabar, where he discussed the controversy surrounding Dr Ofem Enang's disqualification as a presidential contender.

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The disqualification of Enang, a former Second Vice President and State Chairman, has generated widespread concern among the association's members and stakeholders nationwide, with many questioning the decision's legitimacy.

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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Enang was disqualified from contesting the association's top leadership position, despite having previously held key roles within the organization.

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The association's election is slated to take place in Kano from April 26 to May 3, 2026, during its Annual Delegates Meeting, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

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Dr Epoke has described Enang's disqualification as unconstitutional, warning that it could lead to unrest and disunity within the association, ultimately undermining confidence in the electoral process.

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He argued that the decision to disqualify Enang was biased and illogical, threatening the democratic principles that guide the association's electoral system, and emphasized that the association's constitution clearly outlines eligibility and nomination procedures.

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Epoke noted that administrative requirements, such as multiple curriculum vitae and passport photographs, cannot override the constitutional provisions governing eligibility for contesting elective positions within the association.

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The disqualification has heightened tensions across branches, with many doctors alleging attempts to impose a preferred candidate and undermine due process, thereby weakening institutional integrity, according to Epoke.

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He urged past presidents and elders of the profession to intervene and restore credibility to the electoral process, warning that continued interference could fragment the association along political and sectional lines.

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The crisis comes at a time when the health sector is already grappling with concerns over brain drain, industrial disputes, and policy inconsistencies, which could further weaken the association's national influence, Epoke added.

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Prof. Ofem Enang, the disqualified presidential aspirant, has described his disqualification as arbitrary, alleging that it was driven by vested interests opposed to a transparent and competitive electoral process.

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Enang claimed that his nomination was duly submitted and acknowledged, but he was later listed among disqualified candidates due to alleged incomplete documentation by the electoral authorities.

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He warned that if internal dispute resolution mechanisms fail, affected parties may seek constitutional and lawful means to challenge the decision and seek redress, emphasizing that his candidacy was legitimate and should be reinstated.

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Enang noted that the presidency was zoned to the South-South, and denying his candidacy could disenfranchise Cross River and set a dangerous precedent for future elections, he demanded immediate reversal of the disqualification and his reinstatement as a duly nominated candidate.

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Prof. Bala Audu, the association's President, countered that disqualified candidates, including Enang, failed to meet constitutional requirements, including valid licences and complete documentation, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

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Audu explained that the electoral committee conducts elections, while the secretariat handles submissions, and emphasized that allegations against the process must be substantiated by those making the claims, in order to be taken seriously.