Stakeholders from Kumana and Chawai Chiefdoms in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have endorsed a zoning arrangement aimed at addressing longstanding political imbalance in the constituency.
The resolution, reached during meetings held on March 26 and 27, 2026, proposes the rotation of key political offices among the three blocs in the area namely, Kauru Emirate, Kumana Chiefdom and Chawai Chiefdom.
Under the arrangement, the House of Representatives seat is zoned to Kauru Emirate, the State House of Assembly seat to Chawai Chiefdom, and the local government chairmanship to Kumana Chiefdom.
The Kauru Youth Ambassadors (KYA), a pressure group led by Junaidu Ishaq Maisalati, described the decision as a significant step toward promoting fairness, inclusivity, and balanced representation across the local government.
According to the group, a review of political office distribution since 1999 indicates that key elective positions have largely remained within Kumana and Chawai Chiefdoms, creating what it termed a persistent imbalance.
KYA noted that the zoning proposal is a corrective mechanism designed to ensure that all segments of the constituency have equitable access to leadership positions.
The group commended community elders, former public officials, and other stakeholders involved in the deliberations, describing their action as a deliberate effort to foster unity and stability in Kauru.
However, the resolution has drawn criticism from another group of stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area.
The group, under the leadership of one Zakka Peter and Comrade S.M. Taggah, opposed the zoning arrangement and instead backed the re-election of former Federal Representative Muktar Zakari Chawai and State Assembly member Haruna Barnabas Danmaigona.
They argued that leadership positions should be determined by democratic choice rather than zoning agreements.
In response, KYA maintained that zoning remains a legitimate democratic tool for ensuring fairness and preventing dominance by any single bloc.
They also referenced the outcome of the 2023 general elections, noting that electoral results reflected public sentiment regarding leadership performance in the constituency.
KYA called on stakeholders across Kauru LGA to prioritise unity and collective progress over sectional interests.
They further urged the Kaduna State Government to support initiatives that promote inclusivity and equitable political participation.
It emphasised that the zoning arrangement marks the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen democratic governance and ensure balanced representation in Kauru.
BY YUSUF ZUBAIRU
