Doctors Boycott Nigerian Medical Association's Interaction with Olumide Akpata

Doctors Boycott Nigerian Medical Association's Interaction with Olumide Akpata

  • Medical doctors in Edo State did not attend an interactive session with Labour Party's governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, organized by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
  • The event, held at the Doctors’ House in Ugbowo, Benin City, saw an empty 500-seater hall
  • This incident marks another setback for Akpata, following a recent faux pas at the Palace of the Oba of Benin

Medical doctors in Edo State have failed to show up for an interactive session organized by the Edo Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) with Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party's governorship candidate.

The event, scheduled to start at 4PM on Saturday, was held at the Doctors’ House in Ugbowo, Benin City. However, the 500-seater hall remained empty, save for Akpata, his running mate Alhaji Asamah Yusuf Kadiri SAN, and a few NMA executive members.

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Doctors Boycott Nigerian Medical Association's Interaction with Olumide Akpata
Doctors Boycott Nigerian Medical Association's Interaction with Olumide Akpata Photo credit: original
Source: Original

This development comes as a setback for Akpata, who is still reeling from a recent faux pas at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, where the Oba corrected the candidate's claim to be a son of the Palace.

A member of the NMA executive said:

"Of course, we didn't ask anyone to stay away. We extended invitations to all three major aspirants.
"The APC candidate asked that he be represented by his deputy, and we declined, but I expected our members to come out and listen to the Labour man today. These things are voluntary, so only those who are not here can say why they chose to stay away."

The decision to boycott the event is particularly surprising, given that the doctors had turned up a week earlier to listen to the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, speak at the same venue.

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During that session, Ighodalo promised to allocate 15% of the Edo State budget to healthcare if elected governor.

The Edo State governorship elections are scheduled to take place on September 21, 2024.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Jerrywright Ukwu avatar

Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.

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