New chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos Branch, Dr Temidire Ewonowo, has shed light on why the association removed its former chairman, Dr Babajide Saheed.
According to Ewonowo who was the former 1st vice-chairman of the professional group, ten affiliate heads and some members of NMA requested for an Emergency General Meeting and the NMA Lagos state chairman refused to convene the meeting within seven days.
Another sin of Saheed, he said, was walking out of a duly constituted Emergency General Meeting on Jan.13, 2026 and submission of a delegate list that was not ratified by the Emergency General Meeting same day.
He added that another infraction committed by Saheed was referring members of the NMA Lagos State to a disciplinary committee based on an unfounded premise of a decision that did not occur at the State Executive Council Meeting and Emergency General Meeting.
“Before now, I was the 1st vice-chairman.
“The former chairman was served a letter by the affiliate heads to say his own side of what has happened with respect to some of these constitutional infractions, within a period of seven days as contained in the constitution, he didn’t respond.
“There is a window period of three days, that an emergency meeting should be held; following its failure to hold , which is today, it was on the basis and in line with our rules and regulations that the congress alongside the heads of the affiliates take a decision that the former chairman be removed from office.
“So, I’m now the new NMA Chairman.
“This is because section eight of section one of the NMA rules and regulations clearly stated that where the chairman is removed from office, the 1st vice-chairman shall become the chairman,” Ewonowo told the News Agency of Nigeria.
The impeachment took place on Saturday in Lagos during an Emergency General Meeting of the association, following aforementioned violations of the rules and regulations of NMA by the former Chairman, Saheed.
NAN reported that the agreement for removal was conducted through a secret ballot voting method by members.
Following a majority consent to remove the chairman, the 1st Vice-Chairman automatically assumed office, as provided in the NMA constitution.
Ewonowo emphasised that the election was in line with NMA rules and regulations, which stated that a minimum of three affiliate heads and 30 members must be present at a congress where such resolution would be made.
He noted that the emergency meeting (congress) had in attendance 112 members and nine affiliate heads, as a total of 93 members voted for the chairman to be removed from office, while four votes were against and three votes were invalid.
According to him, the emergency general meeting is the highest decision-making organ of the association.
Affirming his commitment to serve the association, Ewonowo assured commitment to progress the association and resolve every difference existing among members, saying that crisis does not give room to growth and development.
According to him, welfare of doctors and progress of the association are paramount.