Akwaibom State Chapter of Nigeria Medical Association’s election into executive positions was reported to have ended in anarchy due to cases of rigging and violence. The election which took place at Doctors Mess, a relaxation hotspot owned by NMA, located at the Udo Udoma axis of Uyo metropolis turned chaotic when a certain Dr named as Uduak Okon was caught trying to insert five already ticked ballot into the ballot box.
On inspection, it was discovered that the ballot papers were ticked in favour of one of the chairmanship candidates, Dr Ime Udoh. The discovery generated protests by some doctors.
Voting was stalled for about 30 minutes during which some senior doctors arrived the scene to ascertain the situation. On getting to the election venue, a former NMA Chairman and medical sciences lecturer, Dr. John Udobang, upon inquiries from the returning officer, was physically attacked by an aide to Dr Valerie Obot, breaking his pair of eyeglasses. He sustained facial injuries and a bad eye hence was taken to hospital for treatment, while the PA who is not a medical doctor was arrested by the police.
Teargas fired by police rented the air as some doctors, commuters and pedestrians scampered for safety. Late into the night, the outgoing State Chairman of NMA, Dr. Nsikak Paul Nyoyoko, swore in Dr. Ime Udoh as winner of the chaotic election.
