……….Okai Uses Grief Moment to Demand Action in Kogi East
In today’s Nigerian political landscape , condolence visits often blur the line between genuine empathy and calculated sycophancy. Too often, condolence visits meant to be sober gestures of solidarity devolve into spectacles of sycophancy with opportunists exploiting grief to curry favour or showcase political loyalty. However, the recent condolence visit of Hon. Austin Usman Okai, former House of Representatives candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, stood apart as an example of how condolence can transcend sycophancy and evolve into constructive dialogue.
Okai’s visit was primarily to console the governor on the passing of his father, a gesture of humanity that superseded party divides and personal political leanings. Yet, in his characteristic style as a people-focused leader, he seized the opportunity to go beyond formalities and draw attention to pressing issues threatening lives and livelihoods in Kogi East.
While sympathizing with Governor Ododo, Hon. Okai used the sober occasion to highlight the recurring cases of kidnapping along the Itobe–Anyigba road, one of the most critical highways in Kogi East. This road, once a bustling artery of commerce and mobility, has in recent Months become a nightmare corridor for commuters due to the frequent activities of bandits and kidnappers.
“I used the opportunity to bring to his attention the urgent need for action on the kidnapping incidents along Itobe and Anyigba Road, as well as the poor state of Anyigba township roads. The Governor listened and humbly responded,” Okai noted after the visit.
By inserting these concerns into his condolence dialogue, Okai showed that compassion for the bereaved does not preclude responsibility to the living. His decision to blend empathy with advocacy reinforced the fact that condolence visits can serve a dual purpose: honouring the dead while safeguarding the living.
Governor Usman Ododo, despite the grief of losing his father, displayed political maturity by not only receiving Okai warmly but also giving due consideration to his observations. Such a response is a demonstration of leadership that prioritizes the common good over partisan identity.
The governor’s positive reaction suggests a recognition of the urgency behind Okai’s concerns. Anyigba township roads, in their current dilapidated state have hindered economic growth in the educational and commercial hub of Kogi East. Meanwhile, unchecked kidnappings along the Itobe–Anyigba stretch have disrupted commerce, heightened fear and worsened insecurity in a region that is critical to the state’s overall development.
The significance of this visit lies not only in its substance but also in its symbolism. In an era where Nigerian politics is often defined by toxic partisanship, the sight of a prominent PDP figure extending sympathy and constructive dialogue to an APC governor was refreshing. It conveyed the truth that while politics divides, humanity unites.
This visit further dispelled the notion that condolence visits must be used for rehearsed praises, sycophantic rhetoric, or superficial displays of loyalty. Instead, it set a precedent for genuine engagement, proving that condolence moments can be leveraged to press forward conversations on governance, security, and infrastructure.
Hon. Austin Usman Okai’s action reflects a higher standard of leadership one anchored in advocacy, empathy, and sincerity. He chose to redefine what condolence visits should mean: an avenue not only for expressing grief but also for reinforcing responsibility toward the people left behind.
For Governor Ododo, his open-minded response was equally symbolic. It showed that leadership is about listening, even to voices from the opposition, and recognizing that the issues raised, security and infrastructure transcend party politics.
At the heart of it all, the condolence visit from Hon. Okai to Governor Ododo was not just a mere ritual of sympathy. It was a demonstration of maturity, patriotism and people oriented leadership. By using the solemn moment to draw attention to kidnappings and road infrastructure, Okai ensured that the visit would be remembered not for sycophancy but for substance.
May Governor Ododo’s late father’s soul rest in peace, and may this spirit of unity and purposeful dialogue endure in Kogi’s political space where humanity must always triumph over partisanship.
