YAHAYA MUHAMMADU MAIKARFI (Son of late Maigari of Lokoja,Muhammadu Maikarfi) 1956-1992.
Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi 11, was the first and last democratically elected Maigari of Lokoja,was elected by the members of Lokoja town council and through
open ballot system respectively.
Three personalities contested: Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi,Abbas Muhammadu Maikarfi and Alhaji Nasidi Ahmadu,(Son of Ahmadu Dekina, a members of WEST AFRICAN FRONTIER FORCE(WAFF) who was appointed by Lord Lugard as Regent incharge of Dekina [ between 1914- 1918)
The first election was conducted between Alhaji Musa Nasidi Ahmadu and Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi,which took place at the council hall, Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi,scored the highest numbers of votes and was declared the winner despite protest by Alhaji musa Nasidi Ahmadu.
The second voting was said to have been shifted to an open space to allow transparency, free and fair election.
An open ballot or option A4 method of election was adopted , where two candidates, Yahaya and Abbas Maikarfi: it’ll interest you to know that the two contestants were children of late Maigari Muhammadu Maikarfi.
The contestants stood apart with their support queuing behind each of them. At the end of the exercise,votes were counted and YAHAYA MUHAMMADU MAIKARFI was declared a winner after he scored the highest numbers of votes. The emergence of Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi as the Maigari of Lokoja, after he defeated his brother,Abbas Maikarfi came to many people as a suprise.
According to our source, Abbas Maikarfi was said to be richer and more popular than Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi, who many sees as an ordinary professional tailor,yet the community queue behind him against abbas overwhelmly.
Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi,was the fifth Maigari of Lokoja,he was installed with third grade staff of office and later upgraded to second class which was presented to him by the governor of defunct Northern Region ,Sir Gawon Bell.
In another colourful ceremony which took place at parada Square in 1970,the then military Governor of Kwara state,Col David Bamigboye ( Retired ) upgraded HRH Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi to second class staff of office while the civilian administration of late Adamu, Attah upgraded Maigari to first class chief between 1981&82.
Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi reign witnessed tremendous developments, includes : the first, second and third Local Government reforms,1954,1968 and 1970 respectively.
Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi as a graded chief contributed immensely to the development Lokoja traditional institutions environs,it was during his tenure that Lokoja town witnesses the proliferation of higher institutions.
On social amenities such as pipe borne water, electrification of Lokoja,office of marketing board,good roads were constructed,modern market, Commercial banks and many more were established.
The monarch, who was installed before Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, witnessed the first Republic headed by late Sir Ahmadu Bello, (1963- 1966)second republic led by Shehu Shagari,(1979-83) respectively.
Peaceful coexistence among ethnic and religious groups gained momentum during his reign.
Traditional Chieftancy Titles were conferred on personalities during his tenure irrespective of tribe or religion affiliations
Dr Victor Ndalugi, was conferred with the traditional title of Makama of Lokoja ,Dr Bashir Yusuf,Waziri of Lokoja and Dr Godwin Ajakpo was Galadima of Lokoja.
Others are: Alhaji Musa Nasidi, Turakin Lakwaja, Mr T. W. B. Bako was conferred with the Chieftancy tittle of Dalahtun Lakwaja and Alhaji Yahaya Abbass as the Sadauna of Lokoja. Alhaji Yahaya Muhammadu Maikarfi 11 passed away on the 31st of March, 1992.