For years, activist Austin Okai has been a thorn in the side of Kogi’s political establishment. Arrested, harassed, and dragged online, he has rarely shied away from confrontation.
But last week, he surprised many when he visited Governor Usman Ododo to offer condolences over the death of his father.
The visit was not just unexpected — it was unprecedented. Okai has long criticised the state’s leadership, yet here he was, shaking hands with a man he often holds accountable.
During the meeting, Okai praised Ododo’s security intervention on the Lokoja–Ajaokuta road but urged him to focus on the troubled Itobe–Anyigba axis. The Governor promised results soon, assuring that security and infrastructure remained priorities.
Outside government circles, however, Okai’s decision sparked an uproar. Social media critics labelled him a sell-out, while others saw his move as genuine statesmanship.
For Okai, the backlash is nothing new. “If you like, drag me till tomorrow, he won’t answer you,No one has a monopoly of ignorance.”
His defiance stems from experience. Detained during Yahaya Bello’s administration, he spent weeks in custody while many politicians remained silent. Those scars, shaped his belief that leadership should rise above partisanship.
If Ododo succeeds, the credit belongs to all Kogites. His visit, therefore, was less about politics and more about humanity.
In the end, his story is not just about condolence. It is about resilience, courage, and the rare ability to put common humanity ahead of political fault lines.
– Abubakar Ojima-ojo Yunusa writes from Abuja.
