The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Lagos Branch has removed Babajide Saheed as its chairman following an Emergency General Meeting held on Saturday in Lagos. The decision, carried by a secret ballot, cited repeated violations of the association's rules and regulations by Saheed, including his refusal to convene the emergency meeting within seven days of a formal request by 10 affiliate heads and other members. Temidire Ewonowo, the former 1st vice-chairman, has assumed leadership as the new chairman in accordance with Section 8, Section 1 of the NMA constitution, which provides for automatic succession in such circumstances. Ewonowo stated that Saheed failed to respond to a seven-day notice to defend himself against the allegations, triggering the congress's action.
Among the cited breaches were Saheed's walkout from the Emergency General Meeting on 13 January 2026, submission of a delegate list not ratified by the meeting, and referring members to a disciplinary committee based on a decision that did not occur at any official meeting. The emergency meeting, described by Ewonowo as the highest decision-making body of the association, was attended by 112 members and nine affiliate heads, meeting the constitutional threshold of at least three affiliate heads and 30 members. A total of 93 members voted for Saheed's removal, four voted against, and three ballots were invalid. Ewonowo affirmed the process was fully compliant with NMA guidelines and emphasized the need for unity, stating that crisis hinders growth and development within the association.
He pledged to prioritise the welfare of doctors and ensure Lagos doctors are not subjected to dehumanising working conditions, vowing that the association will resist such treatment. Ewonowo committed to working with the State Executive Council to maintain a crisis-free leadership moving forward.
A chairman removed for defying internal procedures now sets a precedent for accountability within a doctors' association that demands institutional respect. If procedural breaches by leaders are grounds for removal, the same standard must apply uniformly to all officeholders. The new chairman's focus on welfare and dignity suggests existing conditions for Lagos doctors may already fall short of acceptable norms. This internal shake-up reveals deeper tensions over authority and representation within the medical union.
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