Why Ndola Should Retain Kurmi Chairmanship Till 2027, Youth Leader Says A concerned youth from the Ndola Chiefdom, Mr. Munu Mairiga, has called for the retention of the Kurmi Local Government Council chairmanship within the Ndola ethnic group until 2027, arguing that such a move would uphold fairness, inclusivity, and the long-standing rotational agreement among the area’s three dominant ethnic groups. Kurmi Local Government Area is governed by an informal but widely respected power-sharing understanding among the Tigun, Ichen, and Ndola communities. The unwritten arrangement governs the distribution of three key political offices: the House of Assembly seat representing Kurmi, the commissioner representing the LGA in the State Executive Council, and the local government chairmanship. Currently, the distribution of these positions stands as follows: House of Assembly Member (2023–2027): Tigun ; Commissioner (2023–2027): Ichen and Chairman (2023–2025): Ndola However, with the

A concerned youth from the Ndola Chiefdom, Mr. MunuMairiga, has called for the retention of the Kurmi Local Government Council chairmanship within the Ndola ethnic group until 2027, arguing that such a move would uphold fairness, inclusivity, and the long-standing rotational agreement among the area's three dominant ethnic groups.

Kurmi Local Government Area is governed by an informal but widely respected power-sharing understanding among the Tigun, Ichen, and Ndola communities. The unwritten arrangement governs the distribution of three key political offices: the House of Assembly seat representing Kurmi, the commissioner representing the LGA in the State Executive Council, and the local government chairmanship.

Currently, the distribution of these positions stands as follows: House of Assembly Member (2023–2027): Tigun ;Commissioner (2023–2027): Ichen and Chairman (2023–2025): Ndola

However, with the Ndola group's chairmanship term ending in 2025, Mairiga warned that following a strict rotational order without adjustment would leave the Ndola community without any political representation from 2025 to 2027. This, he said, would disrupt the balance the zoning system was designed to maintain.

"If the chairmanship moves to the Tigun in 2025, they will hold both the chairmanship and the Assembly seat simultaneously, while the Ichen will continue as Commissioner. The Ndola will be left completely out. That's not in line with the spirit of equity the rotation was meant to promote," Mairiga said.

To prevent such an imbalance, he proposed that the chairmanship remain with the Ndola group until 2027, effectively extending their leadership tenure by two years. This, he said, would ensure that all three ethnic groups maintain representation before the start of a new power-sharing cycle.

Under Mairiga's proposed plan for 2027–2031, the following rotation would apply: House Member: Ichen; Commissioner:Ndola and Chairman: Tigun (2027–2029), followed by Ndola (2029–2031)

While acknowledging the current legal provision that limits chairmanship tenure to two years, Mairiga argued that electoral law should work alongside, not in opposition to, the locally accepted rotational arrangement. He emphasized that the intent is not to seek dominance for any group, but to preserve the peace, unity, and mutual respect that Kurmi has enjoyed under the rotational system.

"The goal is not ethnic dominance or political exclusion. It is about stability, continuity, and equity. The rotation must work with our reality, not against it," he said.

Mairiga also warned against calls to abandon zoning altogether, cautioning that a free-for-all electoral system, while promoting merit, could marginalize minority groups and erode the delicate balance that has kept Kurmi united.

"Our local zoning system was born out of understanding and compromise. If we ignore it now, we risk returning to political tension and ethnic distrust. This is not just about positions—it's about preserving the peace we've built over the years," he said.