By Moses Mbaiorga, Gboko
Saturday, July 12, 2025, would have been a day for another successful convention and election of new officials for the renowned Bristow Alumni Association (BAA), if all things had gone according to plan. However, things took a drastic turn on the day of the event, culminating in the abrupt end of the convention.
“Owing to a worrying security report, we have been directed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the College of Past Presidents to end the convention now. There will be no President’s Night or awards presentation, nor thanksgiving tomorrow,’ Pharm. Zachary Gwa, the Central Planning Chairman of the 25th BAA National Convention, was quoted as saying.”
The sudden call to end the convention not only failed to go down well with many members but also left them wondering why the Association’s Board of Directors (BoT) and College of Past Presidents would take that decision without consulting the general congress.
“This is not the BAA we knew, it is a disgrace and should be condemned by all those who mean well for this noble association. If the BoT wanted to shift the elections to early next year, Why didn’t they inform the congress on time? Why now?” one of the anonymous members was overheard expressing disappoinment behind the scene.
What actually broke the camel’s back started on a low ebb. As a tradition, every BAA national or chapter president is mandated to account for the amount of money generated in a year and how it has been expended. In this case, Dr. Msugh Gbila, the outgoing president, who was vying for reelection, had made public his financial report in the program brochure, just like other chapter presidents.
However, Dr. Gbila’s financial report proved difficult for many members to swallow, with some perceiving gross misappropriation of funds. During the discussion and adoption of reports segment of the event, they raised eyebrows, particularly over how the N64.4 million generated, largely through donations (including the N50 million donation from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume), was spent.
But the soon-to-be former Exco insisted that the money was judiciously utilized, particularly for the construction of an ultra-modern BAA secretariat at Bristow Secondary School, even though 90 percent of it was just at the foundation level. However, the explanation was unsatisfactory, and although the aggrieved members were calmed, the issue was dismissed.
The debate over Dr. Msugh Gbila’s financial report was observed to be between the elders, who were supportive of his reelection bid, and the younger generation, represented by the late 20th and 21st century cohorts, who believed in Engr. Emmanuel Akaade’s candidature.
After a brief recess, BAA’s BoT Chairman, Chief Engr. Isaiah Bajah, was called upon to officially dissolve the national executive committee and pronounce the next line of action. It was at this point, having officially dissolved the Dr. Msugh Gbila-led executive committee, that Chief Bajah dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves down the spines of many. He postponed the election and announced a caretaker committee instead, The Voice can report.
The reason Chief Bajah gave for the postponement was that there was a resolution to return the convention to its normal period of February or March; therefore, if an election were to be conducted, the elected officials would serve for only about seven months.
At this juncture, the situation got out of hand as BAA members, who this medium noted were mostly from Engr. Akaade’s team, stormed the stage to vent their frustration and dissatisfaction over what could best be described as an unexpected decision. They accused the BoT Chairman of double standards, foul play, and insensitivity.
“Look at how they are misbehaving, they are even pointing fingers of suspicion at their father (the BoT Chairman). How could this generation be able to man the affairs of BAA very well as they are agitating?” Said one anonymous elder behind the high-table canopy.
It took several minutes before the situation was brought under control. Subsequently, the convention was declared closed.
Meanwhile, reports suggested that the decision to suspend the election until February next year was a calculated attempt to stop Engr. Emmanuel Akaade, who visibly had a large pool of supporters, from becoming the next BAA national president. The allegation also hinged on the fear that Engr. Akaade, a young man with a young fan base, might likely work contrary to the expectations of the older generation if elected president.
Another reason why the older members of BAA and some of the BoT members were allegedly not happy with Engr. Akaade’s candidature was that they felt betrayed. Prior to the convention, an expanded BAA Exco meeting was held to fine-tune the scheme of things. In that meeting, Dr. Gbila, the then-incumbent BAA national president, sought the support of the BoT members and the College of Past Presidents for continuity alongside some of his Exco members who were eligible for reelection. His request was unanimously accepted, and his then-Vice President, Engr. Emmanuel Akaade (who is now vying for president), publicly declared that he would not contest for the number one spot but instead deputize Dr. Gbila as usual. However, he did not stand by his words and decided to run for national president.
When it became evident that Engr. Akaade’s aspiration had gained serious attention from BAA members, the BoT, in an expanded Exco meeting held on the second day of the 2025 national convention, again asked Engr. Akaade to step down for Dr. Gbila and return to his Vice President position. However, their request fell on deaf ears. Then, they felt not just betrayed but also disappointed.
Also, multiple reports indicated that the BoT members had more confidence in Dr. Gbila, who is vying for reelection. They considered him the ideal presidential candidate who would tick the right boxes for them. Therefore, they felt that if the election were held as planned, it would amount to throwing their meal ticket into a lion’s den. The only option that could help them keep their hope alive was to postpone the election to a yet-to-be-fixed date so as to do more homework.
“It is obvious these elders are benefiting financially from the Gbila-led Exco. If not, why are they comfortable with such a financial report and are even behind his reelection?’ an anonymous source was overheard asking rhetorically when the event turned into a chaotic scene.
Meanwhile, Engr. Emmanuel Akaade declined comment. However, his campaign Director General, Mr. Amos Atindiga, described the incident as ‘disappointing,’ saying the actions of the BoT Chairman specifically left much to be desired
“We came to have an election, but somehow, for some reasons, the BAA BoT had decided to abort it. We have put in a lot of work and energy for this election, and as it stands, that has amounted to nothing. This is not a good experience, to say the least”, Mr. Amos further opined.
He added that the BoT should have made recourse to the congress for ratification of their decision because the congress is superior to the BoT. He advised that, as a reputable organization, BAA should be more civil and adhere strictly to democratic processes going forward to avoid a repeat of what happened.
On his part, Dr. Msugh Gbila, though worried about the sad development, expressed happiness over the postponement of the election. He boasted that he had performed optimally as BAA national president, adding that he doesn’t do politics but only came to serve, which is why he is still vying for reelection to complete the good work he has started. He, however, did not state whether or not he will continue with his reelection ambition next year, saying it is too early.
“The venue of the event became so rowdy that no sane person would want to do business in such an environment. That’s why our parents, the BoT and College of Past Presidents did what they did.
“Therefore, I am happy with the decision taken by the BoT. Let everything cool down. The BAA I nurtured for the past two years as president was that of peace, unity, and progress. That’s why, when I became president, I took my time to reconcile aggrieved BAA members.
“Everything was going fine. The person you may call my contender, whom I don’t call, was my deputy; he worked very fine with me and even endorsed me as president. When I discovered that he had put himself up for the same post he had endorsed me for and promised to continue supporting me, really, I was baffled. But I think I have put everything behind me now.
“I can’t gratify myself because I don’t do politics; I went to BAA to serve, and I think I have done what I should have done. I started some gigantic projects that no one has done before. I wanted to finish them in my second term, but with what has happened here at the convention today, I think that’s not the kind of BAA I want to lead, though it’s too early for me to decide”
The national BAA caretaker committee that has taken over the affairs of the association is comprised of: Mrs. Seember Shija as Chairperson, Dr. Asen Sambe as Vice Chairperson, Pharm. Zachary Gwa as General Secretary, and Mrs. Ngunan Ahile as Treasurer, while Asaka Gar, Dr. Iorumbur Igbawua, and John Yaweh will serve as Financial Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, and Publicity Secretary, respectively
