Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna, has presented a letter of appointment to Jonathan Zamuna, the reinstated chief of the Piriga chiefdom in Lere LGA of the state.
In May 2023, Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, deposed Zamuna as the traditional ruler of Piriga due to communal clashes between the Gure and Kitimi communities and his non-residence within the chiefdom.
On June 14, 2024, the national industrial court in Kaduna nullified Zamuna’s deposition, describing the action as “null and void”.
The court ordered the reinstatement of the monarch, along with all his salaries, allowances, entitlements, and benefits of the office.
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Speaking on Wednesday at the council chamber of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House while handing Zamuna the letter, Sani said the reinstatement was in compliance with the court’s order.
“I am sure you have had time to reflect on lessons from the past, which will help in strengthening us and making us better leaders,” the governor said.
“You now have a unique opportunity to serve your people with dedication, courage, and compassion. It also affords us the opportunity to reflect deeply on our past actions and how they have impacted positively or negatively on our state.
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“Have our actions fostered peace and understanding or deepened divisions in our state? Going forward, what must we as individuals, leaders, or groups do to sustain the prevailing peace in Kaduna State?”
Sani said his administration has refocused Kaduna and placed it on the path to sustainable development, adding that the state government respects the rule of law and justice.
The governor congratulated the traditional ruler on his reinstatement and advised him to treat his people equally, without ethno-religious discrimination.
“Our administration stands for the rule of law, due process, and justice. That is why we did not waste time complying with the judgment of the Kaduna state industrial court on the reinstatement of the chief of the Piriga chiefdom,” he said.
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“Despite huge challenges, we are extending socio-economic infrastructure to the 23 local governments of Kaduna state. We are investing heavily in education, health, and agriculture.”
The traditional ruler thanked the governor for reinstating him, noting that all 12 ethnic groups in his chiefdom are living in peace.
Zamuna described Sani as a blessing to the state, adding that his leadership is one with “less rancor, acrimony, agitation, and bandit attacks”.
He urged the people of Kaduna to support the governor in moving the state forward.
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