Malam Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, has authorized the removal of the traditional rulers of Piriga and Arak Chiefdoms, His Highness Jonathan Paragua Zamuna and General Aliyu Iliyah Yammah (rtd), respectively.
Hajiya Umma Ahmad, the State Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, announced this in a statement on Monday evening, stating that the two traditional rulers will cease to occupy their respective roles on Monday, May 22, 2023.
The Commissioner further stated that the depositions were conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs and Section 11 of the Traditional Institutions Law No. 21 of 2021.
“The District Head of Garun Kurama, Babangida Sule, will oversee the affairs of Piriga Chiefdom, pending the appointment of a new chief,” she said, adding that “the Council Secretary has been directed to initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief.”
“Gomna Ahmadu, the Council Secretary of Arak Chiefdom, will oversee the chiefdom’s affairs and will also initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief.”
According to the statement, “the government found unacceptable General Iliyah Yammah’s response to the query regarding his appointment of four district heads, contrary to the one approved for his chiefdom, and his non-residence within Arak chiefdom.”
“The deposition of Jonathan Zamuna follows recent communal clashes between the Gure and Kitimi communities of Piriga chiefdom in Lere LGA, as well as his non-residence within the chiefdom.”
