Kunle Adelabu
-Urges leaders to act in interest of members
A concerned member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo, has warned the national leadership of the association against impending crisis if they continue to contravene the provisions of the constitution in the build up to the NMA elections.
Dr Dankuwo, called on the leadership of the NMA led by Prof. Bala Audu to act in the interest of the members of the association to prevent internal crisis.
The Lagos -based medical practitioner in a petition received by THE IMPACT, titled, “IMPENDING CRISIS IN NMA: A CALL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION”, alleged multiple breaches of the constitution by the leadership led by Prof. Bala Audu, with the most recent being the disqualifications of those he claimed are credible aspirants for national offices.
“The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is currently facing a deeply troubling situation that threatens the unity, integrity, and constitutional order of our great association.
“In recent times, we have witnessed multiple breaches of the NMA Constitution by our national officers.
“The most recent and alarming example is the disqualification of credible candidates from contesting in the forthcoming elections on grounds that are not only questionable but clearly outside the provisions of the Constitution.”
He cited what amounted to misinterpretation of electoral instructions but which has degenerated into alleged disqualifications of some members as unconstitutional.
“The criteria for disqualification are stated explicitly in Article 11(3) of the NMA Constitution. However, the affected candidates were reportedly disqualified based on an alleged failure to submit 40 copies of their curriculum vitae.
“It is important to state that: There was no prior electoral guideline stipulating clearly the requirement for 40 copies of CVs.”
According to Dr Dankuwo, “The nomination form merely stated: “Provide 40 copies of passport photographs and CV.”
“This instruction was reasonably interpreted by the affected candidates as 40 copies of passport photographs and a single copy of CV, not 40 copies of both.
“At best, this represents a simple administrative ambiguity — not a constitutional ground for disqualification,” he emphasised.
The protesting doctor deplored the attitudes of the national leadership of the NMA against efforts to proffer solutions to the impending crisis and alleged that the constitution was further breached in an attempt to invoke Article 11 (3) of the NMA Constitution.
“Even more concerning is the response of the national leadership: All internal dispute resolution mechanisms have been duly explored, including formal petitions to national officers, engagement with the Committee of Past Presidents and Secretaries, and appeals to respected medical elders and stakeholders.
“Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with silence and apparent disregard, which is both disappointing and disrespectful to the collective voice of Nigerian doctors.
“Furthermore, the Committee of State Chairmen invoked Article 7(2) of the Constitution by requesting an Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) to address this issue. This constitutional call was not only ignored but reportedly met with an insulting response.
“Such actions undermine democratic principles, erode trust in leadership, and risk plunging the association into avoidable chaos.
“With the EDM scheduled to hold on 3rd May 2026 in Kano, there is still an opportunity to correct this course,” Dr Dankuwo urged.
He, however, called on the national executives led by Prof. Bala Audu, to act in such a way to make NMA avoid the impending crisis by putting the association’s interest first.
“We therefore call on the National Officers, led by Prof. Bala Audu, to: Act in the best interest of Nigerian doctors, Uphold the Constitution of the Association, Reconsider the disqualification of affected candidates, and Engage stakeholders with the respect and urgency this situation demands.
“Nigerian doctors are already burdened by numerous systemic challenges. Poor leadership and constitutional breaches should not be added to these struggles.
“We also urge well-meaning Nigerians and senior members of the profession to intervene and counsel the leadership before this situation escalates into a full-blown crisis.
“This impending crisis is avoidable —but only if decisive and just action is taken now,” Dr Dankuwo appealed.
THE IMPACT also gathered that there is massive nationwide rejection of the NMA leadership action with state chairmen and stakeholders calling for review of the disqualification of aspirants, appeals which the Prof. Audu led leadership has rejected.
Attempts to hear Prof. Audu’s side of the allegations proved abortive as calls made to him were not answered and WhatsApp chats that were also sent to him not answered as at the time of filing this report.
