The Enugu State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has challenged the national leadership over claims that the state executives were not properly elected. In a strongly worded rebuttal and pre-action notice, the Enugu NMA described the national body’s publication as false and damaging. The chapter insisted that its chairman, Dr. Sunday Okafor, secretary Dr. Chima Edoga, and other state officials were duly elected.

The national NMA, led by Prof. Bala Audu and Dr. Benjamin Egbo, recently issued a public statement distancing itself from the Enugu executives. However, Enugu NMA strongly rejected this position during its Emergency State Officers’ Council meeting held on 26th October 2025, calling the claims “misleading” and “an insult to the medical profession.”

According to the Enugu branch, the election that produced its current leaders took place during its 2024 Annual General Meeting, under the supervision of the Prof. Oge Amadi-led Electoral Committee with Prof. Emmanuel Obikili as the returning officer. The chapter also accused the national leadership of acting in contempt of court, referencing an existing court order (Suit No: E/671cp/2025) which they say restrains interference in the state election.

The state NMA warned that the release by Prof. Audu and Dr. Egbo defamed its leadership and attempted to undermine the court process. They gave the national officers three days to withdraw their comments or face legal consequences. The chapter added that contempt proceedings had already begun against some national officials and accused them of trying to destabilize the association in Enugu for personal gains.

Enugu NMA urged its members and the public to disregard the national leadership’s statement and remain focused on professional activities, including preparations for the 2025 Physicians’ Week and the Regional Health Summit. It emphasized that the medical community in the state was standing firm and would not allow “misleading politics” to distract from its goals.