Leaders and grassroots mobilisers from Kogi East have formed a new coalition to push for infrastructure development and greater political participation in the district.
The group, known as the Kogi East Strategic Stakeholders Coalition, was unveiled during a stakeholders’ briefing in Kogi State.
The coalition said it was built on a political network that dates back to 1991 and would focus on strengthening engagement between the district and governments at both state and federal levels.
The leaders also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
They said the support would be accompanied by advocacy for an equitable approach to political participation and representation among the three senatorial districts.
The coalition said its immediate priority was to secure measurable development outcomes for Kogi East.
It called for the establishment of a National Electric Transmission Substation in the district to support industrial and economic activities.
The group also demanded the rehabilitation and re-equipping of general hospitals in the nine local government headquarters across Kogi East.
The affected areas are Idah, Ibaji, Ankpa, Dekina, Bassa, Omala, Olamaboro, Ofu and Igalamela-Odolu.
The coalition further called for sustainable potable water projects and improved security arrangements around farming communities and boundary areas.
It identified several roads requiring urgent attention, including the Ankpa-Abejukolo, Idah-Onyedega and Anyigba-Iyale-Abejukolo roads.
The leaders also urged the Kogi State Government to engage the Federal Government on the rehabilitation of the Itobe-Anyigba-Ankpa-Otukpa and Idah-Odolu-Nsukka federal roads.
“These are capital-intensive priorities, but they are achievable where government commitment and stakeholder discipline are aligned,” the coalition stated.
The group said its approach was informed by the political philosophy associated with the late Prince Abubakar Audu, particularly his engagement with communities across the state.
The coalition urged youths, women and professional groups in the nine local government areas of Kogi East to participate in its activities.
It said it would maintain a record of agreed priorities and periodically report progress to residents of the district.
The leaders said the initiative was intended to promote development, political participation and accountability across Kogi East.
