Why Enugu NMA election turned bloody

By Ikechukwu Odu in Enugu 

The chairmanship election of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Enugu State chapter, turned bloody yesterday following a free-for-all fight which ensued at the course the exercise.

Some members of the association were seen with blood stains even as ballot papers were scattered on the floor at the election arena.

Daily Tracker gathered that trouble has been brewing between the factional leaders of the association weeks before the election which eventually led to the fracas.

According to one Dr. Nwaneki, the trouble started when a faction of the association suspended the NMA chairman, Dr. Ike Okwesilieze, and refused to obey a court order calling for the cancellation of the election for breach of constitutional provisions.

A copy of the order which was made available to our reporter reads ” Upon an application by motion Ex-parte brought pursuant to order 4 Rule 1 of the Margistrate Court Rules of Enugu State 2004 and dated and filed 6th day of August, 2020. The motion is supported by 12-member paragraphs affidavit deposed to by Dr. Bonaventure Nwachukwu, currently, the immediate past secretary of the Association of resident doctors ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu.

“After hearing the submission J.U Ugwoke ESQ, Counsel for the application praying the court for an interim injuction restraining the 1st-6th respondents from continuing the on-going NMA Enugu State election holding today, the 6th day of August, 2020 within seven days of the order for not following the constitutional provisions of the Association and thereby causing breach of peace among the Association and society at large.”

It was further alleged that the actors of the violence used axe, machetes and other weapons to inflict bodily injuries on one another.

The spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe could not respond to calls and text message put through by our reporter for the confirmation of this incident at the time of filing this report.