Dr. Udoka Imoisili, Chairman, Edo State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), have refuted the news making the rounds that she and some members of her executive have been suspended.
Addressing a Press Conference she stated: “During the business session of the Annual General Meeting(AGM) on Thursday, 17th August 2023, some members of the Association with reckless abandon violently disrupted our meeting and assaulted the media person who was commissioned to live stream the meeting, who had to go for medical care for injuries sustained.
“Another member, Dr. Samuel Omolua, was verbally assaulting me and was advancing towards me to attack me but was held back. When I sensed that the venue of this meeting was no longer safe I called for a recess as enshrined in Edo NMA rules and regulations.
“Unfortunately, some misguided elements led by past Edo NMA Chairman (Dr. Harrison Omokhua) and a past chairman (Dr. Osaigbovo Emmanuel) decided to illegally gather with some few conspirators and foster on themselves a purported and unconstitutional office of a so called acting chairman in the person of Dr. lluobe Inegbenosun and an acting Secretary in the person of Dr. Emeka Okoh who have been shamelessly impersonating the offices of the Chairman and the Secretary.
“They have also gone ahead to disseminate falsehood against my person through their collaborators having paid their way through.
“These individuals burgled my office and carted away vital documents including all cheque books of the association, letter head papers, laptop, receipts, cash, documents which are evidences of their financial misdeeds, and other items yet to be identified.
“These two officers have been using the Association’s letter heads which were apparently stolen from my office at the Secretariat to write fraudulent letters. These illegal elements think that I am a woman, a weakling and can be overwhelmed, but I am a courageous noble leader. I will assert my authority as the legal chairman of Edo State.
“The AGM is still on recess and no illegality perpetuated by some disgruntled elements will be tolerated.
The general public and all affiliates of Edo NMA are advised not to have any dealings with them.
“The image of doctors before the general public must be redeemed, we condemn the acts of these individuals, doctors are still the noblest of all. I want to reassure all members of Edo NMA to remain calm and peaceful as all illegalities will be addressed in due course.”
Corroborating, Dr. Imoisili’s assertion, the Deputy Chairman of the association, Dr. Benson Okwara said that “the Chairman sensing some security breach and challenges constitutionally called for a recess. It is in our constitution. That means until the Chairman reconvenes the meeting no other person is permitted to continue with anything.
“They wanted to railroad me into continuing with the meeting and I asked them off. They did the same thing to the Secretary and he refused. It was on that premise that they asked the Deputy Secretary, Inegbenosun Iluobe, to act as the acting Chairman. Such illegalities.
“When a Chairman calls for a recess it is only the Chairman that can reconvene. It is constitutional. Unfortunately, we have past chairmen who are spearheading pandemonium.”
According to the Secretary, Dr. Collins Oikehere, who also refuted the suspension claims “it is only with the consent of the National President that that can be done.”
He stressed that the incident has been reported to the police who are looking into it with a view to bringing the culprits to justice.
Edo NMA Chairman, others refute suspension claims
