A presidential aspirant in the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ofem Enang, has rejected his disqualification from the association’s election, describing the decision as unconstitutional.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Enang, a professor at the University of Calabar, accused the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) of undermining the electoral process.
He argued that the disqualification was based on administrative technicalities relating to the number of CV copies submitted—grounds he said are not supported by the association’s constitution.
“Notably, the constitution does not empower the NOC to disqualify candidates based on administrative technicalities.
“Furthermore, Article 11(1b) provides thus: All members shall, subject to the provisions of Article 4 of this constitution, be eligible to contest elections to any office…
“The above clearly establishes that constitutional criteria, not administrative discretion, determine eligibility.
“The disqualification is, therefore, inconsistent with due process and represents an overreaction of authority,” he stated.
Enang called for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, transparency in the election process, and equal opportunities for all candidates.
Other affected aspirants, including Muhammad Isah and Sodipo Olanrewa, also rejected the decision and urged security agencies to intervene amid rising tensions within the association
