By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD
Delta journalism has been rocked by a storm of outrage as the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Churchill Oyowe, stands accused of trampling on press freedom and running the council like a one-man dictatorship.
In a shocking display of intolerance, Oyowe last week went on a purge, expelling journalists who dared to criticize his administration from the union’s official WhatsApp group. His victims included respected veteran journalist and former Pointer editor, Julius Oweh; Federal Information Chapel chairman, Comrade Enitan Abel Johngold; and former NAWOJ chairperson, Comrade Patricia Gbemudu.
Their “crime”? Advising Oyowe that his action against the NUJ secretary, Comrade Victor Sorokwu — who is facing allegations of corruption — was unprofessional and a direct attack on freedom of expression.
But rather than listen, Oyowe reportedly “bared his fangs,” acting like a self-styled emperor. He suspended Oweh, Johngold, and Gbemudu — after already removing New Telegraph correspondent Dominic Adewole Igbekoyi and Radio Nigeria’s Oghenero Eghweree.
Outrage has since trailed his action. “This is absurd and ironical,” one furious member said. “Journalists criticize presidents, governors, and ministers every day, and the heavens don’t fall. Why should Churchill Oyowe, a mere council chairman, see himself as untouchable?”
The development has sparked an uproar across media circles, with calls mounting for the NUJ national leadership to intervene before Oyowe drags Delta journalism into outright tyranny.
Observers say his actions have exposed him as unfit for leadership. “If you cannot stand criticism,” one journalist quipped, “then resign. Journalism is not a nunnery where you play mother superior — it’s the beating heart of democracy.”
As the backlash intensifies, one truth is echoing across Delta NUJ: Churchill Oyowe has declared war on press freedom — and the press is ready to fight back.
