My Review of “The Emergence of New Maigari of Lokoja” »

Yesterday , 13th Sept., 2025, I got the book titled “The Emergence of the New Maigari of Lokoja,” narrated by Salisu Datti, Musa Tanimu Nasidi and Hamisu Musa and edited by Alhaji Aliu Lawal Jiya, as Lokoja kingdom celebrates its 165th anniversary and the turbaning of five (5) distinguished individuals.

The book spans six (6) chapters and eighty-three (83) pages, structured around the historical foundations of the Lokoja chieftaincy, the Maikarfi dynasty, the death of HRH Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III, the succession crisis and petitions that followed and the installation of his son, HRH Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, in Jan., 2024. I read it cover to cover, hence these review for whoever is not privileged to read it.

The authors explain that their aim is “to bring to the fore, the intrigues, permutations, the internal and external dynamics that enveloped the whole scenarios from the passing away of the occupant of the throne, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III, to the appointment of his successor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Maikarfi IV.”

The opening chapter establishes the throne’s lineage and the methodology used. Instead of depending solely on archives, the narrators interviewed elders, secretaries of ruling houses and occupational guild leaders, recognizing that Lokoja’s tradition is not just palace history but communal memory.

The lineage is carefully traced from Musa Maigari (1870–1896), through successive rulers, to Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III (1992–2022).

The meaning of “Maikarfi” itself, a Hausa word meaning “the indomitable,” is highlighted to show that names in African culture carry destiny as much as identity.

The death of HRH Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III on 28th Sept., 2022 is described in the book with striking imagery. The Waziri of Lokoja, Alhaji Abdulrahman Idris, recalled how the Maigari indirectly bid his chiefs farewell in his final days. The city mourned; markets and businesses closed and as the book puts it, “the weather in Lokoja , that was known to be hot momentarily became cool and friendly on that fateful day.”

His passing, as narrated, created a power vacuum that lasted for 467 days, leaving Lokoja without a traditional ruler and breeding intense intrigues.

At this point, the kingmakers emerged as stabilizers. They were described as “the custodians of the sanctity of the palace.”

The 2022/2023 body include the Waziri, Alhaji Abdulrahman Idris; the Mayaki, Alhaji Aliu Lawal Jiya; the Magajin Gari, Sheikh Ibrahim Shuaibu Kenchi; the Talba, AVM Mohammed Ndatsu Umaru (Rtd.); the Chief Imam of Lokoja, Alhaji Aminu Shaban; and Mr. Herbert Majebo Ajakpo, representing Lokoja Christians as Galadima.

They screened aspirants and resisted attempts to derail tradition. As Mayaki explained, “Three candidates from the two Ruling Houses appeared before the kingmakers for the selection processes. They are Alhaji Gambo Kabir and Mallam Zakari Gwadabe from Maikarfi Ruling House, and Mallam Sabo Musa from Maigari Musa Ruling House.”

Yet, beyond these legitimate aspirants as narrated in the book, a wave of petitions flooded in. Barrister Yakubu Kabir, another son of the late Maigari, who was not validly nominated, took his grievance to the government. Engineer Yahaya Adoga Umar, of Oworo extraction, invoked a controversial “Legal Notice” suggesting Lokoja had multiple ethnic ruling houses. Whilst Mr. Emmanuel Dauda Shelika, of Nupe/Bassa-Nge origin, argued that his grandparents were once traditional rulers. Chief Joseph Akpa from Igala and descendants of Adama Kakanda, a regent, also submitted claims.

These petitions revealed Lokoja’s multi-ethnic heritage but also the fragility of its peace. In the book, the Lokoja Indigenous Peoples’ Union (LIPU) condemned the moves, declaring that “Lokoja has only three ruling houses. Appointing somebody outside the ruling houses to the throne of Maigari would not only spell doom but face stiff resistance from the people.” They denounced the “Legal Notice” as fraudulent and warned the government not to distort history.

The government’s involvement added another dimension. The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs invited aspirants and petitioners to hearings, but the decisive intervention came from former Governor Yahaya Bello.

In a stakeholders’ meeting as narrated, Bello asked, “Is the word Maigari an Ebira word?” The crowd chorused no. “Is it an Igala word?” Again, no. “Is it an Okun word?” Still, no. Then he concluded: “My government will not distort history, it will appoint the right person as Maigari of Lokoja.” This declaration , according to the narrators , reassured the people that history would not be rewritten.

The climax is the triumphant return and installation of HRH Ibrahim Gambo Maikarfi IV in Jan. 2024.

The authors describe how “a journey of about 25 minutes from Jamata to Lokoja took the convoy over two (2) hours” because of the jubilant crowd. Butchers, praise singers, horse riders and ordinary citizens thronged the streets.

The turbaning according to the narrators was done by the Chief Imam and the kingmakers, while the staff of office was presented by Governor Bello on 26th Jan., 2024.

In his first words as ruler, the Maigari struck a humble tone: “I appeal to my subjects to support and cooperate with me in the onerous task ahead.” For the first time in four decades , as narrated, Lokoja’s Central Mosque had its paramount ruler present at Juma’at prayer; a symbolic restoration of spiritual leadership.

In all, “The Emergence of New Maigari of Lokoja” is more than a record of succession. It is a mirror of Lokoja’s identity, showing how tradition, politics and modern governance intersect.

However, It also demonstrates that while petitions from Nupe/Bassa-Nge, Oworo, Igala and Kakanda groups reflect Lokoja’s diversity, legitimacy rests on historical continuity through the three ruling houses.

In explicit terms, the book also affirms that the throne of Lokoja is not a seat of power but a living covenant between past and future.

— Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK
Kogi State
14th Sept., 25