By Abasi Ita
Tension is mounting within the Nigerian Medical Association ahead of its 2026 national elections as doctors across the country threaten to embark on protests over what they describe as the unconstitutional disqualification of a leading presidential aspirant, Ofem Enang.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the leadership of the association, with some members accusing the current president, Bala Audu, of attempting to influence the outcome of the election scheduled to hold in Kano from April 26 to May 2, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Renaissance 2026 Campaign Team, led by its National Campaign Coordinator, Ezoke Epoke, described the reported disqualification of Enang as a violation of due process and the association’s constitution, warning that it could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
The campaign team said Enang met all constitutional requirements for nomination and submitted his forms within the stipulated deadline. It added that he was neither formally notified of any deficiency nor given an opportunity to respond before the alleged disqualification.
According to the group, Article 11 subsection 1 paragraph b of the NMA Constitution clearly states that all members are eligible to contest elections to any office, provided they meet the laid down requirements.
It explained that the constitution only requires that nomination forms be properly completed and submitted before the deadline, with a proposer and seconder who are members in good standing of the association.
The campaign team further stated that Enang personally submitted his nomination forms before the deadline in the company of seven state chairmen, in line with constitutional provisions guiding the electoral process.
It noted that the constitution provides for the opening of nomination envelopes by the Secretary General or Deputy Secretary General in the presence of at least one other national officer, after which the names of nominated candidates and their sponsors are compiled.
According to the statement, the constitution does not empower the National Officers Committee or any individual to arbitrarily disqualify a candidate who has been properly nominated and seconded.
“At no point in Article 11 is any authority granted to the National Officers Committee or any individual to unilaterally disqualify a properly nominated and seconded candidate,” the campaign team said.
The group called for the immediate reinstatement of Enang as a duly nominated candidate and urged the NMA leadership to comply with the letter and spirit of the constitution.
It also appealed to former NMA presidents, past secretaries general and other stakeholders to intervene to prevent what it described as a dangerous precedent capable of plunging the association into crisis.
“Our concern goes beyond Dr Ofem Enang. It is about defending the integrity of the NMA, protecting democracy and upholding the rule of law within our profession,” the statement added.
Reacting to the development, Secretary of the NMA Federal Capital Territory branch, Akinnagbe Fernandez, also questioned the basis of the disqualification, describing it as inconsistent with the association’s constitution.
Fernandez said the alleged decision was reportedly based on claims that photocopies of certain documents were not submitted, even though the originals were already in the custody of the NMA secretariat.
“The purported disqualification of Prof Ofem Enang is based on the claim that photocopies of certain documents were not submitted, even though those original documents are already before the NMA secretariat,” he said.
He maintained that Article 11 of the constitution does not recognise incomplete documentation as a ground for disqualification once nomination forms are properly completed and endorsed by qualified sponsors.
“The constitution does not recognise incomplete documentation as a ground for disqualification. As long as the nomination form is properly completed and the proposer and seconder are members in good standing with current practising licences, the candidate is eligible to contest,” Fernandez said.
He warned that the development could trigger widespread discontent among doctors across the country if not urgently addressed.
Efforts to reach the NMA President, Bala Audu, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls placed to his phone.