Enugu NMA Leadership crises deepend as two chairmen emerge

Leadership crisis has hit the Enugu State council of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) as two persons are laying claim to be the chairman of the elite association.

The two claimants, Dr. Chibuzo Eminem Ndiokwelu and Dr Sunday Okafor in their separate announcements on July 30, 2024 and August 1, 2024 claimed to be the union’s chairmen.

Dr. Ndiokwelu told newsmen at a press conference that his executive was ratified during the association’s Annual General Meeting(AGM) held virtually on July 27, while Dr. Okafor addressed a news conference after his election and swearing that followed their AGM the previous day, July 31 at the auditorium of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu.

While the national leadership of the association backed Ndiokwelu’s faction, majority of the doctors and the state government are said to be backing that of Okafor.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu with his executive, the new chairman, Dr. Ndiokwelu said that his administration is committed to bridging divides and promoting solidarity within the medical community in the state.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by medical professionals in Enugu State, Dr. Ndiokwelu pledged to address key issues such as security threats, poor working conditions, and the prevalence of quackery.

He noted that his agenda is designed to ease hostilities and restore friendly understanding among NMA members in Enugu State.

Ndiokwelu said: “We shall embrace everyone and embark on this journey together with a no victor or vanquished mindset. My doors are open as the team leader to all progressive-minded members. Our vision is a united, inclusive, and impactful NMA Enugu State”.

On his part, Okafor, who claimed that he was overwhelmingly elected by over 389 member doctors as the new chairman of the association in Enugu State, pledged to restore the glory of the association in the state.
“We’ll work for everybody, reconcile, reform and together make the NMA Enugu state great again,” Okafor pledged.

The two factions however advised the general public to disregard the any group or individuals parading themselves as officers of the association in Enugu state, stating that they were ready to deliver on the mandate given to them by the NMA members in the state.

“Any individuals claiming to be the NMA Enugu State Executive apart from this team headed by me are imposters who will face sanctions from NMA”, Ndiokwelu said.

Similarly, Okafor warned that “Any authority without the people and and the law is illegitimate and illegal. We have been given legitimacy today by the Congress, overwhelmingly participated in line with our rules and any other person parading himself or herself should be arrested as an impersonator”.

Ndiokwelu’s executive is also made up of Dr. Ijeoma Charles-Ugwuagbo, emerging as Deputy Chairman; Dr. Agbo Chukwuemeka, General Secretary; Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi Nnadi, Assistant Secretary; Dr. Ezugwu Ijeoma Lilian, Treasurer; Dr. Etiki Eugene, Financial Secretary; Dr. Onah Onyebuchi, Social Secretary and Dr. Ebuka Ugwoke, Publicity Secretary.

However, those elected with Okafor include, Dr Obinna Nevo as Deputy Chairman; Dr China Edoga as the General Secretary; Dr. Forchu Ogochukwu as the Assistant Secretary; Dr. Solomon Anigbammpu as the Financial Secretary; Dr. Ifenna Umueji as Treasurer; Dr. Emmanuel Nnamani as the publicity Secretary and Dr. Kelechi Okereke as the Social Secretary