•••Self-style Mr Emmanuel Dauda Shelika,The Etsu of Mount Pati
By THEANALYSTNG
In any contest, there’s always a winner and a loser and that is the beauty of democracy. If you go for a contest it obvious for one to prepare his mind on either of the two and accept the result in good faith.
With the above statement, we are compelled to give kudos to chief Joseph Akpa(Igala) and Engr Yahaya Adoga(Oworo) among others for their maturity and display of sportsmanship.
While we are not so kin to react to the press briefing held by the so called Etsu media of Lokoja, published by KOGIREPORT, with captions:” Etsu Lokoja Appeal to Gov Ododo to Grade Stool, Halt Further harassment”dated Saturday,11/1/2025, we are constrained to pin point his shortcomings that portray him as insincere, selfish and a poor student of history. We interpreted his poor judgement of history as a confusionist.
This is a man who came out in full force to vie for stool of Lokoja, bearing the title of Maigari. But because he failed woefully to achieve his life ambition, he has now turned around to proclaim himself as “ETSU” of Lokoja. The question here is, why didn’t he protested the Maigari title for Etsu during the contest between 2022 and 2024?
He alleged that Lokoja was founded by Etsu Nyampa in 1700 and died in 1835. One will be tempted to ask Mr Shelika that during the period1700 to 1835) when his forefathers migrated from Gbara to mount pati, who were the settlers Etsu Nyampa me?
Who appointed him as the Etsu? Who were his subjects? Was there any trace of a palace on mount pati or Royal house? Who succeeded his deluded Etsu Nyampa before 1870 when Maigari 3 ruling houses was established?
Providing answers to the above questions will no doubt give Credence to his claim.
From his explanation one will understand that he’s distorting history. He has forgotten to tell us the position of Etsu Nyampa 1-3 when the British came into contact with Lokoja. Where were the Etsu Nyampa 1-3 families when the Europeans appointed Maigari Dauda , Bukar Abiga and Muhammadu Maikarfi as rulers of the town under the Decree signed enacted Etsu Man Saba of Bida signed by Edward Bakie, Bishop Ajayi Crowther,on the 12th day of September,1870? Why didn’t they the “so-called Nyampa,’ if at all they existed, raised objections and tell Mr Edward Bakie, that they are the founders of Lokoja and why now? Etsu Mountain pati , you lied!
He told the world that his appointment followed due process by making wider consultations and handpicked by the kingmakers among the natives. Is that the traditional or modern and civilized ways of appointing kingmakers? King makers in Lokoja traditional institution was established by Edward Bakie 1904 during the reign of MAIGARI HAMZA MUSA.
Questions To Etsu Mount Pati:
(1)Which criteria did they used?
(2)Who are they and do they have lineage with the traditional institution of Lokoja?
(3) Can Shelika Mention their names for the benefit of the world?
(4) The name of the colonial master is equally important
(5) Who was the Spiritual leader and the name of the Church Nyampa 1-3 attended and the location?
We appeal to Mr Shelika to tread the path of honor and embrace the truth, come out from his desperation, deluded behaviour, confused and narrow minded enclave and align himself with reality on the ground.
Lokoja traditional council have its own well organized kingmakers (As mentioned earlier)who, former Gov Yahaya Bello used to appoint Maigari of which you are aware of their existence.
A man who parades himself as traditional ruler has now creates division among his Nupe kinsmen by calling some as natives and others indigenes. Is that the way to you’ll rule ?
Truth they say is bitter, is it because the Nupe community in Lokoja said the true position that warrant such name and misguided press briefing?
Admit it or not they are more native than, they are pure Nupe not the( NUPE TAKU) adulterated.
As it stands today, majority of the traditional titleholders in Lokoja traditional council are of Nupe extraction and most of the titles are borrowed from Bida, the ancestral home of the Nupe. We challenge Mr Shelika to go for further research on this assertion.
Then, what equation in governance is Mr Shelika advocating? The Chief of Lokoja since 1916 to date are of Nupe extraction,top ranking in Lokoja council are of Nupe extraction. What do Shelika is hiding under the canopy of Nupe? Shelika is a BASSAN NGE!
You can not remain in the comfort of your room fomenting trouble and ask the security agents to come and protect you against any form of embarrassment. The security agents are humans and have life and family to cater for like you and have more serious issues to attend to.
You that draws the trouble should be courageous enough to confront it squarely. You can borrow a leaf from your ancestors who warlords, with your oracle(Eluko) and take the lead while your kinsmen follow.
Mr Shelika should not forget in a hurry that the present administration in the state is extension of the previous administration that appointed the present Maigari of which you contested and failed.
The government is very much aware of your illegal activities geared toward creating breach of peace in the most peaceful and serene town of Lokoja despite her cosmopolitan nature. We want to use this medium to call on His excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the authorities concerned towards Mr Shelika’s illegal claims and efforts to create disharmony amongst the people of Lokoja.
Mr Emanuel Shelika,the earlier you drop your unachievable and monomania ambition and give peace a chance, the better.
