By joshua Afemai Progressive Union Opens Nomination For New Onogie Afemai of Lokoja, Fixes November 10 Deadline
The process to elect a new Onogie Afemai of Lokoja has formally begun following the demise of the revered traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Alhaji Zakari Ahmadu Dangana.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Afemai Progressive Union, Lokoja, Abu Micheal, and signed by the Secretary, Imodu Ilegogie, the Union announced that the nomination process for the next Onogie Afemai of Lokoja is now open and will close on 10th November, 2026.
The Onogie Afemai of Lokoja is one of the recognised Traditional Chiefs under the Maigari of Lokoja, presiding over the affairs of Afemai-speaking people in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
According to historical and community records, the Afemai people, also known as Afenmai, Etsako or Etsakor, are indigenes of Edo North Senatorial District who have lived in Lokoja for over a century. They are a major ethnic group historically linked to the Kingdom of Benin and part of the Edoid ethno-linguistic family.
The Afemai homeland comprises six Local Government Areas in Edo State:
1. Etsako West LGA – Auchi (Headquarters)
2. Etsako Central LGA – Fugar
3. Etsako East LGA – Agenebode
4. Owan East LGA – Afuze
5. Owan West LGA – Sabongida-Ora
6. Akoko-Edo LGA – Igarra
These LGAs encompass various clans and communities including Auchi, South Ibie, Agbede, Jattu, Aviele, Agenebode, Okpella, Ibie, Uzairue, Weppa-Wanno, Ekperi and Owan, among others.
In Lokoja, the Afemai community predominantly resides in Lokoja Local Government Area, with large concentrations in Adankolo, Lokongoma, New Layout, Cantonment, Gadumo, Felele, Adankolo New Extension, 500 Units and Ganaja axis. They have been critical to the development and growth of Lokoja and Kogi State.
Checks reveal that the last Onogie Afemai of Lokoja was His Royal Highness Alhaji Zakari Ahmadu Dangana, also referred to as Shugaban Afemai I of Lokoja.
Born on January 3, 1940, in Minna, Niger State to the family of the late Alhaji Ahmadu Dangana and Hajia Fati Dangana, the late traditional ruler was of Ibie extraction in Etsako East LGA of Edo State.
Alhaji Dangana was turbaned as Onogie Afemai of Lokoja in 2020 by the then Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Late Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III, marking a historic moment in the recognition of the Afemai community in the Lokoja Traditional Council.
He died in the early hours of Friday, June 6, 2026, at the age of 86, after a brief illness. According to Islamic rites, prayers were held at the Lokoja Central Mosque before his remains were taken to his ancestral hometown for burial. His reign was described as calm, unifying and committed to peaceful coexistence among diverse groups in Lokoja.
The current Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, who ascended the throne on January 8, 2024, has called for the nomination of a new Onogie by the Afemai people resident in Lokoja.
Towards filling the vacant stool, the Afemai Progressive Union, the umbrella body for all Afemai in Lokoja, has therefore issued the following formal call for nominations:
NOTICE TO ALL AFEMAI INDIGENES RESIDING IN LOKOJA
This is to formally notify all Afemai indigenes residing in Lokoja that nominations are now open for our next Onogie.
Please note that every Afemai son is eligible for the position.
Kindly submit your nominations to the Secretary of the Afemai Progressive Union:
Ilegogie Imoudu – 08037686009
Submission Channels: Text message or WhatsApp.
Nomination closes on 10th November, 2026.
Please kindly forward this message to all Afemai indigenes in Lokoja.
Signed:
Imodu Ilegogie
Secretary, Afemai Progressive Union, Lokoja.
The Union appealed to all Afemai sons and daughters to participate peacefully in the process and to continue to support constituted authorities as they await the emergence of a new traditional leader who will build on the legacies of the late Onogie.