Activist Goes into Hiding Over Death Threats for allegedly Inciting public against Gov’t in Delta

An outspoken youth activist from Ekpan in Delta State, Mrs Chioma Oyovwe has gone into hiding following repeated death threats allegedly issued by political thugs affiliated with the ruling class.

The female activist, said she was forced underground after refusing to keep quiet about the increasing trend of governors in Southern Nigeria defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while compelling their subordinates to declare support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, despite the worsening economic hardship across the country.

According to 28-year-old vibrant activist, threats to her life intensified after her consistent criticism of these political developments on local radio and television stations, particularly her public condemnation of the perceived political manipulation in the Niger Delta. “They warned me not to speak against the government, especially after I was arrested and brutalized during the August 1–10, 2024 ‘End Bad Governance’ protest,” she recalled.

The activist, who played a key role in organizing the protest, said it was intended to be a peaceful demonstration against misrule and neglect of the Niger Delta region. However, she alleged that it was hijacked by state-backed thugs, with police using live ammunition and tear gas on demonstrators. “I was eventually arrested, beaten and warned never to speak ill of the government again. They said next time I won’t be this lucky.”

Since her release, the threats escalated. She described how her family, especially her husband, feared for her life. “Many activists have disappeared without a trace. I don’t want to be one of them,” she said with emotion.

Her prominence as a vocal female activist in a male-dominated political landscape made her a target.

Despite the risks, she continued to speak on-air about the exploitation of Niger Delta resources to fund elections and develop other regions, while the host communities languish in poverty, poor infrastructure, and youth unemployment.

She also highlighted the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, many of whom, she said, can no longer afford two square meals a day.

Her criticism of southern governors defecting to the APC and aligning with Tinubu’s second-term ambition reportedly led to the temporary shutdown of one of the radio stations she appeared on. As a result, she stopped attending public gatherings, received multiple death threats, and has since gone into hiding to protect herself and her family.