Why Akwa Ibom NMA Chairman and Vice Chairman were Impeached

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has given reasons why Dr. Emem Abraham, the Chairman, and Dr. Aniekan Utuk, the Vice Chairman was impeached during Ordinary General Congress held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at the NMA Secretariat, Kilometer 8 Nwaniba road, Akwa Ibom State.

The ousted chairman, Dr. Abraham, and his executive were sworn in on July 16, 2022, and were supposed to serve until July 17, 2024, before the impeachment on charges of abuse of office, misuse of funds, and high-handedness.

In the wake of the impeachment, a motion was put forward and accepted by Congress to appoint Dr. Usenobong Morgan, the Association's Secretary, as the Acting Chairman. This decision was ratified by a vote of 61 in favor and 13 against.

Giving a briefing to the press on Monday, June 3 at the Doctor's Mess, Dr. Morgan revealed that the impeached Chairman and Vice Chairman were removed from their positions after five months of running the NMA Akwa Ibom State without a budget while spending millions of naira. Furthermore, they presented a financial statement for a free medical outreach that only accounted for six million naira out of a total of thirty-four million naira.

Dr. Morgan also listed other reasons for the impeachment, including violations of the NMA National Constitution and Akwa Ibom State Bye-laws, unjustifiably removing members from the association's WhatsApp group, discrepancies in committee reports, failure to provide income details for the NMA Creche, high-handedness, impersonating the Secretary in official communication, and illegally suspending key figures within the association.

Additionally, Dr. Morgan called for the immediate withdrawal of privileges and recognition bestowed on the impeached Chairman and Vice Chairman, emphasizing the importance of informing the public about the leadership changes within the association.

"As the Secretary of the NMA, I have assumed the role of Acting Chairman following the impeachment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman. I am here to notify everyone that this change has occurred and to request that, in accordance with the congress resolution, all forms of recognition and privileges conferred upon the suspended individuals should cease and be withdrawn, as the congress has appointed me as the Acting Chairman," he stated.