Lagos, Nigeria — The Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has removed its chairman, Dr. Babajide Saheed, following an emergency general meeting held on Saturday in Lagos. The decision was taken through a secret ballot by members citing repeated violations of the association’s rules and regulations.
Dr. Temidire Ewonowo, the former first vice-chairman, has assumed the role of chairman in accordance with the NMA constitution, which stipulates that the first vice-chairman succeeds the chairman in the event of removal.
The removal followed a series of alleged infractions, including Dr. Saheed’s failure to convene an emergency general meeting within seven days after receiving a formal request from affiliate heads and members. Other accusations included walking out of a duly constituted emergency general meeting on January 13, 2026, and submitting a delegate list that had not been ratified by the same congress. Dr. Ewonowo also accused Dr. Saheed of referring members to a disciplinary committee based on a decision he claimed was never reached at either the State Executive Council or the emergency general meeting.
“Before now, I was the first vice-chairman,” Dr. Ewonowo said. “The former chairman was served a letter by the affiliate heads requesting his response to these constitutional infractions within seven days, as provided in the constitution. He did not respond.”
He added that the window period of three days for convening an emergency meeting had passed, prompting the congress and affiliate heads to take action in line with the association’s rules and regulations. The emergency general meeting, he noted, is the highest decision-making body of the NMA.
Dr. Ewonowo emphasized that the process complied fully with the association’s constitution. The meeting was attended by 112 members and nine affiliate heads, exceeding the minimum requirement of three affiliate heads and 30 members. Of the votes cast, 93 were in favour of removal, four opposed it, and three were declared invalid.
The leadership change underscores ongoing tensions within the Lagos NMA over governance and adherence to constitutional provisions. Dr. Ewonowo’s immediate priorities include restoring confidence among members and ensuring compliance with the association’s bylaws.
