Crisis Rocks Edo NMA Over Suspension Of Chairman, Secretary

Uneasy calm has enveloped the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) following reports of alleged suspension of its chairman, Dr Udoka Imoisili, the deputy chairman, Dr Okwara Benson and secretary, Dr Collins Otoikhila.

Some aggrieved members of the medical body led by Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun, and  Dr Emeka Okoh after annual general meeting and scientific conference held in Benin City had accused the Dr Imoisili led executive of violating the constitution of the body and also alleged financial impropriety among others.

The suspension which is contained in a communique was signed by Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun, acting chairman, Edo NMA and Dr Emeka Okoh, PR0, Edo NMA and reads in part, “The AGM voted to suspend the trio of chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, for refusing to carry out their constitutional duties as demanded by the AGM.

“A secret ballot was held, and 120 members voted to suspend the chairman, Dr Udoka Imoisili, deputy chairman, Dr Benson Okwara, and secretary, Dr Collins Otoikhila; 3 voted against and 3 abstained.

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The meeting continued with the adjusted and adopted agenda, and the following resolutions were reached.

“The deputy secretary, Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun should assume office as Ag Chairman, NMA Edo State with immediate effect as prescribed by the Edo NMA R&R and the suspended officers should hand over the association properties in their possession to the Ag Chairman within 48 hours of this meeting.”

But in a swift reaction, Imoisili described Inegbenosun  and Dr Emeka Okoh as impersonators who are desperate for power by resorting to acts of  illegality to drag the NMA into crisis.

He said, “It is no longer news that during the business session of the AGM on Thursday 17th August 2023 some members of the Association with reckless abandon violently disrupted our meeting and assaulted the  media person who was commissioned to live  stream the meeting, who had to go for medical care for injuries sustained. Another member Dr Samuel Omolua was verbally assaulting me and was advancing towards me to attack me but was held back.

“When I sensed that the venue of this meeting was no longer safe, I called for a recess as enshrined in Edo NMA rules and regulations. Unfortunately some misguided elements led by past Edo NMA chairman (Dr. Harrison Omokhua) and a past chairman ( Dr. Osaigbovo Emmanuel) decided to illegally gather  with some few conspirators and foster on themselves a purported and unconstitutional office of a so called acting chairman in the person of Dr. lluobe  Inegbenosun and an acting secretary in the person of Dr. Emeka Okoh who have been shamelessly impersonating the offices of the chairman and the secretary.

“They have also gone ahead to disseminate false hood against my person through their collaborators having paid their way through. These individuals burgled my office and carted away vital documents including all cheque books of the association, letter head papers, laptop, receipts, cash, documents which are evidences of their financial misdeeds and other items yet to be identified.

“These two officers have been using the Association’s letter heads which were apparently stolen from my office at the Secretariat to write fraudulent letters.

These illegal elements think that I am a woman, a weakling and can be overwhelmed, but I am a courageous noble leader, I will assert my authority as the legal chairman of Edo State.

“The general public and all affiliates of Edo NMA are advised not to have any dealings with them. The image of doctors before the general public must be redeemed, we condemn the acts of these individuals, doctors are still the noblest of all.”