The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (ARD-UUTH) chapter in Akwa Ibom State is now engulfed in crisis over succession, which was the fallout of recently organized election
Penpushing reports that the crisis escalated earlier this month following the omission of the name of the current Secretary General of the association and Presidential candidate, Dr Eric Ojoko, from the list of candidates.
The aggrieved Ojoko had faulted constituted disciplinary committee set up to look into petition against him, arguing that the committee was constituted illegally and being influenced by the association President Dr Jumbo Hezekiah to disqualify him
Penpushing further reports that Ojoko argued that the constitution of the association cannot be superior to that of Nigeria especially on matters of fundamental human rights, but sources said disciplinary committee had earlier invited HIM to different virtual meetings over the allegations
The embattled Ojoko declared that he could not appear before the committee as a result of an alleged impromptu arrangement, stressing that though he had relevant document to exonerate himself, arguing that the constitution does not recognize the disqualification of a candidate base on a petition that has not been verified
“I received an invitation by 10.08 a.m. this morning requesting that I appear by 11.00 a.m. this morning to defend myself against weighty allegations the particulars of which were not specified in the letter’, Ojoko said
“Even though, I have every document to exonerate myself, does the constitution recognise the disqualification of a candidate based on a petition that has not been verified or investigated, the answer is no. But the President, Jumbo Hezekiah, has made up his mind to make sure he doesn’t see me on a ballot’, he said.
‘He even went ahead to forward my name to a disciplinary committee that was illegally constituted. The disciplinary committee in my association is a standing committee that is only set up at an annual general meeting’,Ojoko stated
‘As a secretary with all the records of the association at my disposal, there is no document that confirms the constitution of the disciplinary committee and its members. That was how I saw that my name was conspicuously missing on the list of screened candidates but we are doing everything within the law to ensure that justice is served,” he said
The aggrieved contestant requested that to properly prepare his defence, the disciplinary committee should provide the details of the allegations levelled against him, the evidence and names of witnesses which form the basis of the allegations, details of the disciplinary committee and those to be involved in the trial as well as official records showing their membership of the committee.
Penpushing also reports that the aggrieved contestant raised alarm that the disciplinary committee, the electoral committee and the president ensured that the Electoral Chairman that was appointed screened him out of the race.
Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report the President of the crisis ridden association could not be reach for his reaction, as all efforts by Penpushing Media had been abortive, while in his final submission Ojoko also requested that the trial of this nature should be open to the public in line with his constitutional rights to a fair hearing and the interest of transparency within the association.
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