The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos Branch, has removed its Chairman, Babajide Saheed. Consequently, Temidire Ewonowo has assumed leadership of the association as the new chairman.
The removal took place on Saturday in Lagos during an Emergency General Meeting of the association. This action followed alleged repeated breaches of the NMA's rules and regulations by the former chairman, Mr. Saheed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that members conducted a secret ballot to reach the decision for removal.
Following the majority vote to oust the chairman, the first vice-chairman automatically stepped into the role of chairman, in accordance with the NMA constitution.
Explaining further, the new Chairman, Mr. Ewonowo, who was previously the first vice-chairman, stated that some of the infractions leading to Mr. Saheed's removal included his refusal to convene an Emergency General Meeting within seven days, despite a request from 10 affiliate heads and several NMA members.
He also cited Mr. Saheed's departure from a duly constituted Emergency General Meeting on January 13, 2026, and the submission of a delegate list not ratified by that meeting as other breaches.
Furthermore, the former chairman was accused of referring NMA Lagos State members to a disciplinary committee based on a false premise, stemming from decisions that were not made at the State Executive Council Meeting or the Emergency General Meeting.
“Before now, I was the 1st vice-chairman,” Mr. Ewonowo stated.
He added, “The former chairman was served a letter by the affiliate heads to present his side of the story regarding some of these constitutional infractions within a period of seven days, as stipulated in the constitution. He did not respond.
“There is a window period of three days for an emergency meeting to be held. Following its failure to hold, which is today, it was on this basis and in line with our rules and regulations that the congress, alongside the heads of the affiliates, took the decision to remove the former chairman from office.
“So, I am now the new NMA chairman.
“This is because section eight of section one of the NMA rules and regulations clearly states that where the chairman is removed from office, the 1st vice- chairman shall become the chairman,” Mr. Ewonowo elaborated.
Mr. Ewonowo stressed that the election was conducted according to NMA regulations, which require a minimum of three affiliate heads and 30 members to be present for such resolutions.
He noted that the emergency meeting (congress) was attended by 112 members and nine affiliate heads. A total of 93 members voted in favour of removing the chairman, with four votes against and three invalid votes.
According to him, the emergency general meeting is the highest decision-making body of the association.
Affirming his commitment to serve the association, Mr. Ewonowo pledged his support for the association's advancement and for resolving internal differences, emphasizing that conflict hinders growth and development.
He asserted that the welfare of doctors and the progress of the association are paramount.
“We have just been elected as part of the equals to lead the association,” he said.
“Therefore, on this basis, we will work together as a congress.
“We will work collaboratively with the State Executive Council to ensure, at the end of the day, we have a crisis-free administration.
“But for me, as someone who has served in public office even before now, I have always championed the welfare of all members.
“This is not an era where Lagos doctors will be denied their rights in their workplaces. This is not the time for a Lagos doctor to be subjected to dehumanising conditions. This association will vehemently resist such actions.”
He assured that the current leadership would make every effort to protect the welfare of doctors.
“We will maintain open communication channels between us and all the affiliate groups.
“Remember that the reason the Nigerian Medical Association exists today is because the affiliate groups came together to form what is known as the NMA,” he concluded.
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