LOKOJA: A prominent Kogi East political figure and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Mahmoud Bala Alfa, has urged the Igala people to adopt a strategic approach to politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Alfa, who spoke on the Kogi-based WhotNow Podcast on Saturday, said political participation should be driven by the need to secure resources, influence and development for the people.

He argued that the Igala people must be strategically involved in political structures and decision-making processes at the state and national levels.

According to him, politics is ultimately about resource control and sharing, making it necessary for the people to be present “in the rooms and at the tables” where critical decisions are taken.

“We lost our seat at the table because our parents were very nice people. They were calm. They were very humble, which is good. But in the process of being kind and being meek, we lost the seat at the table,” Alfa said.

The APC chieftain urged Kogi East to move away from what he described as a permanent opposition mentality, stressing that political engagement should include strategic participation and support for governments where such engagement could advance the interests of the people.

He said the people should be prepared to support political administrations while making their expectations and demands clear.

According to him, such an approach would enable the people to hold governments accountable for commitments made to them.

“We have to be seen to participate. We have to also be seen to participate to support. So, when the time comes, we can now go cap in hand and say, look, we have supported. This is why we supported. These are the pledges you made to us. Now we are here to collect it,” he said.