By correspondent in Lokoja.
The late Maigari of Lokoja,Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Kabir Usman 111.
The Lokoja Forum of Patriots ( LPF), a socio – cultural group of Lokoja indigenes in Kogi State, north central Nigeria, has appealed to Governor Yahaya Bello to approve the appointment of a new Maigari of Lokoja.
The Forum made the appeal on Wednesday in Lokoja, an open letter it sent to the governor on the vacant throne of Maigari of Lokoja,exactly one year after the transition of the immediate past Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Kabir Usman 111 .
Our correspondent reports that Alhaji Idris Babaango and Alhaji Ali Danlami Ibrahim,
Chairman and Secretary of the Lokoja Forum of Patriots respectively signed the letter and also copied journalists in Lokoja.
Members of the Forum expressed concerned over the delay in the approval of a new Maigari by the state government,adding that the tradition and customs of Lokoja abhors vacuum.
Babaango and Ibrahim,who pleaded with the governor to approve the appointment of the new Maigari, described Lokoja as a house without rooftop and without a traditional ruler.
According to the Forum, Lokoja tradition, religion, economy, customs among others had suffered serious setbacks because of the absence of Maigari.
The group said:”We are like a house without a rooftop. Nobody to guide us Islamically and traditionally for almost one year now. This is strange to our tradition and culture.
“We have never found ourselves in this type of situation. This is the first time the town will be without a head and leader for one year.
” Sir, you will recall that the throne of the Maigari of Lokoja became vacant, following the demise of Alhaji (Dr )Muhammadu Kabir 111 on September 28, 2022.
“Since then, Lokoja and its indigenes have been living without a traditional head.
“Our collective hope of having a successor to fill the vacuum created by the death of the late Maigari is high,” members said.
They also recalled that members of the Lokoja Traditional Council, who are also the town Kingmakers, had met and picked a successor in line with the tradition and custom of Lokoja to fill the vacant throne and forwarded their decision to the governor’s office.
The Forum added that the transmission of the kingmakers’ decision was through the Lokoja Local Government in line with the extant laws guiding the selection and appointment of a new Maigari.
“Since then, the people of Lokoja have been waiting eagerly for the formal approval and announcement of the new Maigari of Lokoja by the state government.
“It is exactly one year that Lokoja has been without a Maigari, the traditional head of the town and Custodian of the culture and custom of the indigenes of the ancient town.This development is very strange to the culture of the people of Lokoja.
“The throne of Maigairi of Lokoja is the soul and symbol of peace and unity among the indigenes of Lokoja.For the Throne to continue to remain vacant is not in the best interest of Lokoja and her indigenes, Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Apart from being the capital of Kogi State and an ancient town which once served as the capital of the defunct Northern Protectorate until the amalgamation of of Nigeria in 1914, Lokoja should be accorded its due rights by having a traditional ruler approved for it without further delay,by Your Excellency Sir.Lokoja cannot continue without a Maigairi on the throne,” according to Forum.
Members also expressed worry that Lokoja remain the only major town in the state and the only state capital in the whole of Northern Nigeria without a traditional ruler,noting that the absence of Maigari of Lokoja is already affecting the social and economic well-being of the town and its indigenes negatively.
VitalNews/The Reporters.
