Lagos NMA Removes Chairman Over Alleged Constitutional Breaches
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State branch, has been plunged into a deepening crisis following an emergency congress that resulted in the removal of its Chairman, Dr Babajide Saheed. The decision was made due to alleged constitutional infractions, with the congress urging Dr Ewonowo Temidire, the erstwhile first Vice Chairman, to immediately assume office as the new chairman.
Alleged Breaches and Succession
Dr Ewonowo Temidire, in his new role, stated that the removal followed a series of alleged breaches of the association's rules and regulations by the former chairman. Key among these was Saheed's refusal to convene meetings requested by members and his failure to resolve disputes surrounding the selection of delegates for national elections.
Temidire explained that affiliate groups, including the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Medical Guild, had formally written to demand an emergency general meeting. However, the former chairman allegedly did not respond within the seven-day period stipulated by the constitution.
Furthermore, it was alleged that six members of a committee, which reportedly formed a quorum under the Constitution, had requested a meeting to deliberate on the delegates' list, but Saheed declined to summon it. Temidire emphasized that his emergence as chairman followed the succession provisions outlined in the association's rules.
New Chairman's Pledges
Dr Temidire has pledged to prioritize the welfare of doctors in Lagos and resist any form of dehumanizing treatment against medical professionals in their workplaces. He also committed to ending the prolonged internal crisis within the Lagos branch, aiming to foster unity and address the concerns that have plagued the association.
Saheed's Rejection of Removal
In response, Dr Babajide Saheed has rejected the claims of his removal from office, describing the move as unconstitutional and without legal effect. In a statement issued over the weekend, Saheed asserted that he had been alerted to an announcement by a group of individuals purporting to declare his removal.
He maintained that the action did not follow the provisions outlined in the NMA's Constitution, which clearly stipulates procedures for the election, tenure, and removal of elected officers. Saheed added that the association is considering appropriate measures, including legal action, to address the situation. He urged members to remain calm and law-abiding, reiterating the association's commitment to professional standards and promoting public health in Lagos State.
Doctors Protest Police Harassment
In a related development, medical doctors under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) and the NMA staged a peaceful protest in Lagos State over the weekend. The protest, held at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, was against alleged continuous harassment by the police and growing concerns over social media attacks on medical practitioners.
Medical professionals participating in the protest expressed that repeated arrests and intimidation of doctors are adversely affecting healthcare delivery and putting patients at risk. Dr Jonathan Esegine, Chairman of ANPMP in Lagos State, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that doctors are being "hounded at will, abducted from their practices, harassed, intimidated, mistreated, and imprisoned at will for no just cause."
He alleged that the police, particularly the Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, have turned the arrest of doctors into a routine, often detaining them without proper investigation. Esegine warned that this trend could force doctors to begin practising defensive medicine, where fear of arrest affects urgent medical decisions.
"Doctors will now begin to practise defensive medicine. When you confront a medical emergency, you begin to ask yourself, should I attempt it or not? If it fails, the police will jump in and label you with murder," he cautioned.
Authority on Medical Negligence
Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, the National First Vice President of the NMA, emphasized that only the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has the authority to handle cases of medical negligence. "Things can happen in medical practice, and the only agency authorized to speak on negligence is the MDCN, not the police," he stated.
Dr Saheed also commented on the broader issue, noting that doctors are increasingly being judged unfairly both by security agencies and on social media, which exacerbates the challenges faced by the medical community.
This unfolding situation underscores the internal and external pressures confronting the medical profession in Lagos, with implications for healthcare delivery and professional integrity.
