Kogi NMA crisis worsens as Vice Chairman, Assistant Secretary resign

The crisis rocking the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, in Kogi State has taken a new twist following the resignation of the Vice Chairman, Dr Mohammed Umoru and the Assistant Secretary, Dr Ugoh Stanley Nkemakolam.

Their resignation letters are contained in a letter dated 8th July, 2024, which was addressed to the Chairman of Kogi NMA, Dr Olusola Baoku.

Umoru, who is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, in his letter argued that his decision to tender his resignation as NMA Vice Chairman 1 was due to the unresolved crisis which has engulfed the current exco for the year 2022-2024.

His letter reads in part, “this is one decision I have tried to avoid throughout my one year in the State Officer Committee, (SOC), but it is now inevitable as a result of the irredeemable perpetual autocratic methods of the Chairman in running the Association, and his numerous actions and inactions that many times run contrary to the provisions of the NMA Constitution, and by extension, the Kogi State NMA bye-law.

“This unfortunate situation has made it utterly impossible for some of us in the State Officer Committee to work with him. It has led to the collapse of the SEC that has always provided oversight function on the State Officer Committee, and has greatly divided the Association along many fault lines that have become largely irreconcilable”.

Also, the Assistant Secretary, Nkemakolam, who tendered his resignation letter with immediate effect, expressed his displeasure over the alleged poor leadership of the association in Kogi State under its Chairman Dr Olusola Baoku.

“My decision became very inevitable due to your flagrant disrespect and disregard for the bye laws of NMA Kogi State and the inalienable rights of her members which has eventually spiral-downed to the now-lingering crisis in NMA, Kogi State and for which you have shown lack of seriousness and commitment towards its amicable resolution despite all the support you have gotten from me and other State Officers Committee members.

“Meanwhile, I sincerely apologize to you and any member of our great association who I might have in one way or the other, inadvertently offended in the course of my service and struggle for the soul of our dear association,” the letter added.

DAILY POST gathered that this brings it to six members of the 2022-2024 exco that have tendered their resignation letters.