A leadership crisis is emerging within the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) as more than 200 delegates are set to gather in Abuja for an emergency meeting over the disqualification of candidates in the association’s upcoming elections.

The Emergency Delegates Meeting, scheduled for April 22, follows growing opposition to the recent disqualification of some aspirants for the Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM) elections, a development that has drawn criticism from key stakeholders within the association.

Chairman of the NMA State Chairmen Forum, Oreyemi Ifedayo, said in a statement issued on Monday that the meeting became necessary after several attempts to resolve the dispute failed.

He noted that the decisions to disqualify candidates had been rejected by state chairmen, caucuses, and the Committee of Past Presidents, all of whom have called on NMA President, Bala Audu, to reverse the move.

According to Ifedayo, the Committee of Past Presidents had met and resolved that the disqualifications should be overturned to ensure fairness in the electoral process, stressing that its decisions are binding under the association’s constitution.

He expressed concern that the failure to heed these interventions could lead to instability within the association, warning of a possible breakdown of order if the situation remains unresolved.

The emergency meeting is expected to provide a platform for delegates to deliberate on the issue and seek a resolution aimed at restoring unity and stability within the NMA.

Ifedayo added that all arrangements for the meeting had been concluded, with over 200 delegates already confirmed to attend.